Thousands of people gathered at Lapangan Puputan Renon, Denpasar, Bali on May 11, 2017 for a vigil for Basuki Tjahaja Purnama. Photo: brilio.net/Adelia Anjani Putri
Despite calls for acceptance of Basuki Tjahaja Purnamas imprisonment over his blasphemy case, the non-active governors supporters keep conducting vigils demanding for his release.
Protests that were started in Jakarta now have widespread in numerous cities across Indonesia.
Manokwari ( Papua Barat ) punya.. 1000 lilin untuk Ahok.. pic.twitter.com/0wepElpYqi
6udn (@cupangin_) May 11, 2017
On Wednesday evening, hundreds of Ahoks supporters gathered around Tugu Monument in Yogyakarta bringing banners and candles. But thirty minutes later, chaos broke when an opposite group came and forced the supporters to dismiss the gathering. Police shot two warning shots to the air to disperse the chaos and later detained six suspects.
However, vigils conducted in other cities like Batam, Manado, Rote, Atambua, Nias, Singkawang, Toraja, Samarinda, Medan, Palangkaraya and Denpasar were more peaceful.
Tens of thousands of participants gathered in a similar manner: in black to symbolize grief; lighting candles to symbolize their hopes and sympathy; and singing national songs as a symbol of their love for Indonesia.
In Denpasar, Bali, thousands protesters gathered at Puputan Field, Renon last night. They sang Indonesia Raya, Rayuan Pulau Kelapa and Indonesia Pusaka in a big choir while occassionally yellingBebaskan Ahok! (Free Ahok!) and Bubarkan FPI! (Disband FPI!) in between songs.
They also called for the arrest of Islamic Defender Front Rizieq Shihab.
While the vigils are for Ahoks case, protesters also claimed that the events are also about showing that the silent majority is awake and will protect Indonesias diversity and unity at any cost.
Were the same Indonesia, so we care about what happened in other regions. If theres any wrongdoing there, we have to do something here. Weve been silent for too long, says Linda, one of the protesters in Bali, last night.
Ahoks intervention
As vigils continue to be heldand demands for Ahoks release keepflooding the social media, more critic against the movement is expected to come from those who think the non-active governor deserves what he gets.
If theres someone who can stop the supporters from holding massive gathering, its going to be the man himself. And thats what he did yesterday, at least in Depok, West Java.
Hundreds of protesters gathered in front of Mobile Brigade Command headquarters detention center (Mako Brimob) Kelapa Dua, Depok, West Java, where Ahok is detained after being transferred from Cipinang Penitentiary. Authorities had tried to stop protesters from coming as the complex is a military headquarter, not a public space, and yesterday was a public holiday where its forbidden to hold a rally. But the supporters didnt budge. until Ahok spoke to them through loudspeakers.
Its Depok. What if they move me again to other city? he said. And its Brimobs headquarter, they need tranquility. People also live here. Please dismiss the crowd so the area remains safe. Im doing well here.
Ahok's message managed to disperse the crowd yesterday in Mako Brimob, but as people now take his case as a bigger issue of radicalism, injustice and threat to the country's diversity, it is not sure whether similar call from the man can stop more vigils or rallies from happening in the future.
(brl/red)
