Jakarta – An estimated 10,000 students returned to rally in the streets on Wednesday afternoon (18 Nov). They scattered flowers in memory of their slain fellows in the 12-13 November Tragedy at the Semanggi interchange. Students were divided into two large masses, the City Forum (FORKOT=Forum Kota) and the Students' Action Forum for Reform and Democracy (FAMRED).
FORKOT took to the streets in at least 15 buses and moved towards the Parliament Building to scatter flowers at the gates of the building. Meanwhile, FAMRED undertook a long march from the Hotel Indonesia circle to the Atmajaya University campus, scattering flowers along the way.
In their statements, both groups of students added another demand to their list: that General Wiranto be removed from his positioin as Minister of Defence and Security/Commander of the Armed Forces to mark his responsibility for the deaths of more than 10 students and ordinary citizens in the 12-13 November tragedy. "Wiranto must step down. Hang Wiranto!" the students shouted.
Several students said that Wiranto should step down from his post immediately, without waiting for orders, as the Semanggi Tragedy is holds the record for the worst case of Armed Forces mistreatment of civilians. "Where in the world have 10 civilians died of shots by soldiers in an area only 1 hectare in size?" asked a student. "It is only appropriate that Wiranto face an international military tribunal."
Security around the student rally was not as strict as in the previous days. Far fewer Armed Forces personnel were deployed. In Jalan Sudirman only around 20 Marines were standing guard and helped control traffic. However, security was still tight along Jalan Gatot Subroto, particularly in a radius of 200 metres from the Parliament building.
The FORKOT masses which came from the direction of Cawang were halted at the Senayan Amusement Park bridge. But, after negotiations, students were allowed to pass to scatter flowers. Not long after they had finished scattering flowers, the mass of students were pushed back through the gates and gathered by the Manggala Wanabhakti bulding around 100 metres from the Parliament gates to give speeches.
With the calls to evening prayers, the Forkot masses returned to their buses to continue their journey to the Atmajaya University, Jakarta (UAJ) at the Semanggi interchange. At this campus they joined with FAMRED and other masses for common prayers for the victims of Armed Forces violence.
As this report goes to press (19:00 local time), the joint prayers continue in a solemn atmosphere.