Full name | Speakers' Corner |
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Address | Upper Pickering Street, Hong Lim Park, Singapore |
Location | Hong Lim Park, Singapore |
Coordinates | 1°17′12.50″N 103°50′48.20″E / 1.2868056°N 103.8467222°E |
Public transit | NE5 Clarke Quay |
Operator | National Parks Board |
Type | Free speech zone |
Record attendance | 25,000 (Pink Dot SG, 4 June 2016) |
Surface | Lawn |
Opened | 1 September 2000 |
Website | |
www |
The Speakers' Corner in Singapore is an area located within Hong Lim Park at the Downtown Core district, where Singaporeans may demonstrate, hold exhibitions and performances, as well as being able to engage freely in political open-air public speeches, debates and discussions. As a free speech zone, it is based upon the premise of its namesake, Speakers' Corner, which was first launched at Hyde Park in London and has since been established in many other countries with a political system of representative democracy.
Launched in 2000, it aims to address the genuine desire by some Singaporeans for lawful outdoor demonstrations and processions as a means of further political expression, without disrupting or hindering the productivity of the country as a whole. Singaporeans are also entitled to organise or participate in demonstrations at the Speakers' Corner without having to obtain a police permit.[1]
Hong Lim Park was chosen as it was previously also a popular venue for many election rallies and political speeches during the 1950s and 1960s. Furthermore, the park is centrally located within the city-centre, and are well-served by public transport services while being situated at a high public density area.