Kite-Flying Tribute ForPalestinian Children Draws Police Charge, Netizens Question Need For Permit

A member of Mums4PlestineSG said she has been charged over an event held at Marina Barrage in October 2024, where participants flew kites bearing the names of children killed in Gaza.

In an Instagram post, Dayana who identified herself as a member of the group, said the event, called "Wings of Solidarity", was held on 27 Oct 2024, and involved participants flying white kites to honour Palestinian children.

She said the organisers were subsequently called in for police investigations and were told they could not have held the event without a permit.

Dayana said she was informed by the police that she had been charged and would appear in court on 9 Sep 2026 at 10am.

In the post, she said she accepted the charge, describing the event as an attempt to honour children killed in Gaza and create a space for people to grieve.

She also urged supporters who shared the same sentiments to attend the court hearing.

Under Singapore's Public Order Act 2009, an "assembly" is broadly defined to include gatherings intended to demonstrate support for or opposition to a person, group or government, publicise a cause or campaign, or mark or commemorate an event.

In addition, the SPF has said that public assemblies and processions related to the Israel-Hamas conflict require a police permit, and that organising or participating in such an event without a permit is an offence.

Singapore has taken a notably restrictive approach to public advocacy around the Israel-Palestine conflict, particularly when it involves public assemblies, demonstrations, marches, or displays of Palestinian/Israeli symbols.

In Feb 2024, about 70 people marched from Orchard Road towards the Istana carrying umbrellas painted with watermelon symbols associated with Palestinian solidarity. Police investigated the procession as an unauthorised public assembly, with three women subsequently fined over organising it.