Jakarta – In a move to commemorate the bloody May riot in 1998, about 200 activists and students staged an anti-violence demonstration in Blok M, South Jakarta on Sunday.

The group staged street theater performances and orations, waved banners and posters and sung songs that urged people not to resort to violence in dealing with various matters.

The activists also asked for a transparent investigation into human rights violations allegedly committed during the bloody Semanggi incidents on November 13, 1998 and September 23-24, 1999.

The first Semanggi incident broke out during a mass protest on November 13, 1998 demanding former president B.J. Habibie resign during the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Special Session.Soldiers opened fire on protesters and journalists in front of Atmajaya Catholic University on Jl. Jend. Sudirman in Central Jakarta. At least 16 people were killed and hundreds were injured.

The second Semanggi incident broke out in front of MPRbuilding on September 23-24, 1999, when students once again hit the street and staged a mass protest rejecting the deliberation of the State Security bill. Nine people were killed and dozens of others injured in the melee.