1st May 2011, 10:30am Chow Kit Monorail area. Arrests were already made. SUARAM reports, in total, 21 were taken in by the police.

I walked from Chow Kit Monorail to the location near Maju Junction, right in front of the building where SUHAKAM's office is currently situated. This year's Workers' Day Celebration was continued there. Presented below are pictures of the event.

A group was gathered and more were on their way, some travelling all the way from Perak to celebrate Workers' Day together in solidarity. This year their demand is for the government to pass Minimum Wage Act (Akta Gaji Minima). It is a modest, simple and a reasonable basic demand, really.

They gathered with banners and placards depicting various but crucial issues that affect all Malaysians.

Issues that make themselves felt, regardless of skin colour, creed, age, and gender.

And as usual, the police wanted the participants to stop their celebration. A calm negotiation and discussion ensued and all seemed cool.

However, arrest they did and a number of people were taken away in the infamous blue truck.

That didn't stop the rest of the participants from moving peacefully to lodge a complaint with SUHAKAM. Again, they were stopped from entering the building but kudos to SUHAKAM, their representatives were already there on the ground floor to receive the complaint.  The participants decided that they were going to wait for their comrades to be released.

And you can see their resolve and their commitment in the trickling drops of perspiration and the shining eyes. This gentleman walks with a pair of crutches but he certainly didn't need one to stand up and be counted.

The young gave the celebration the energy and vibrance that it needed. Together, they sang and clapped. Solidarity Forever, a tune that was sung even during the pre-Malaya trade unions' May Day gatherings, resounded again, in different languages, followed by Suara Rakyat and a few other songs. Given that Universiti Malaya warned its students against participating in the celebration this year, it certainly was refreshing to see the youth standing together in solidarity and coming out to celebrate Workers' Day this morning.

And they did it with style - with posters, banners, t-shirts and songs.

Some were more traditional in a sense, with spirited and passionate calls to action.

While some reconnected with their more playful side.

And some were just adorable with their little hands clapping to the beat.

But all were united in their stand.

And their request is simply an honest request. To have a taste of fairness. A fair wage for their sweat and blood.

A fair pay for their broken backs, the backs upon which Malaysia is built and continues to be built.

After all, it is for our collective future. For the future of young Malaysians such as this.

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Pictures: Nandakumar Haridas