Convinced they will win a historic UN-supervised referendum by a landslide next week, up to 10,000 jubilant supporters of independence for East Timor defied threats by rivals and choked the streets of Dili on Wednesday.
It was the most impressive display of the separatist movement's popular strength to date and far outmatched earlier and more subdued rallies by anti-independence campaigners.
"We are sure 90 percent of East Timor's people will vote for independence," said Manuel Carrascalao, a longtime pro-independence politician.
Wednesday's crowd turned out despite what activists say is a campaign of violence and intimidation against civilians and UN staff by militia groups accused of trying to derail the ballot so they can stay part of Indonesia.
Riot police broke up a brief clash between pro and anti-independence groups after both sides threw rocks. One man was injured before officers closed off a street adjacent to a militia building.
Overall, however, the rally was peaceful. Hundreds of people rode on trucks, buses and motorcycles in a noisy and smokey parade along Dili's coconut palm-lined and ramshackle streets.
"Today is a golden day for us, ahead is freedom and independence," said Zoana Victor, a 38-year-old resistance supporter who was jailed by Indonesia in the 1970s.
Many waved the blue, green, and white independence flags that were banned until recently. Others carried portraits of jailed rebel leader "Xanana" Gusmao.
The celebration was marred by a traffic accident in which three people died. Three others were injured in the collision between a truck and a car in the motorcade.
Members of Indonesia's armed forces, accused for decades of human rights abuses in their quest to crush separatist guerillas, watched passively as the raucous procession moved slowly by their barracks. A police helicopter hovered overhead.
Earlier, thousands rallied outside the seafront headquarters of the Council for Timorese National Resistance. They sang and danced, and chanted "Long live East Timor", and "Long live Xanana".