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JAKARTA. Despite criticism that their rally was just a way of looking for trouble, the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) insisted on organizing another rally in the front of the Jakarta City Council.
This time, the FPI also invited women, children and the elderly.
This week’s rally had the same mission as last week’s, rejecting the appointment of deputy governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama as Jakarta governor. The FPI vowed it would continue organizing rallies until their demands were met.
During the rally, the FPI protested that Ahok, who is a Christian of Chinese descent, had repeatedly offended the Muslim majority.
According to kompas.com, there were around 100 participants, many of whom were women and the elderly, at the rally. Traffic congestion was unavoidable in the vicinity, affecting Jl. Menteng Raya, Jl. Kebon Sirih and Jl. Agus Salim.
Central Jakarta Police chief Sr. Comr. Hendro Pandowo said as many as 400 police personnel had been deployed to secure the rally.
Last week’s FPI rally turned sour and ended in clashes with the police, injuring more than 10 police officers. The police then arrested several FPI field coordinators for further questioning. (alz/dic)
