On Monday, March 18, 4-5 PM, activists from around the country will risk arrest at the Indonesian Embassy on 2020 Mass. Ave. in a demonstration against that nation's occupation of East Timor and its ongoing purchases of U.S. weapons.

While illegal campaign contributions from Indonesia continue to capture the media's attention, public pressure is mounting in opposition to the ongoing illegal occupation and repression of East Timor by Indonesia's Suharto regime and the ongoing purchases of U.S. weapons for use by the Indonesian military.

In a letter to Indonesian Ambassador Arifin Siregar, Gordon S. Clark, Peace Action's Executive Director, and Charles Scheiner, Coordinator of the East Timor Action Network, stated:

"Since the onset of your occupation of East Timor, one third of the population has been killed. Torture, arbitrary arrests and disappearances persist with great frequency... the United Nations has passed 10 resolutions condemning your illegal invasion and occupation... Since 1975, Indonesia has purchased over $1 billion in U.S. weaponry. Many... have been used against the citizens of East Timor... The ongoing abuses by your government compel us to bring these issues to public light."

During the protest:

• Bread & Puppet Theater of Vermont will perform a lively and colorful street show.
• Alan Nairn, journalist present at the 1991 Dili massacre, and Erica Harrold, California Peace Action activist, will speak.
• Over 100 persons will join the protest wearing placards bearing the names of those killed in the Dili massacre.
• At least fifteen persons will risk arrest. Holding crosses with placards, they will "die" on the lawn of the embassy to call attention to the outrageous campaign of genocide carried on by Indonesia and the need to stop all weapons sales and military aid to that nation.