Bogor, Bandung, Surabaya, Yogyakarta, Makassar – Some braved the rain to protest, while other chose to watch proceedings from afar during the visit of United States President George W. Bush to Bogor on Monday.
One group of protesters stood in the rain along Jl. Padjajaran, while thousands of others from the Islamic Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia group demonstrated in the Warung Jambu area.
Others from Pakuan University, the Prosperous Justice Party and some claiming to be followers of controversial psychic Ki Gendeng Pamungkas gathered around the Baranangsiang bus station. Despite the large number of demonstrators, the protests in the city took place peacefully.
Prior to Bush's arrival at Bogor's Presidential Palace, police and troops fanned out in five security rings, the furthest two kilometers from the building.
Around noon, protesters from Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia and 31 other Islamic groups entered ring two until soldiers and police blocked them from moving any closer. The group stayed there until about 5 p.m.
Other areas in the city were unusually empty, with many buses and minivans not operating. "On normal days, we operate up to 30 buses heading to Lebak Bulus and Tangerang. All are filled with around 30 to 40 passengers," Budi, the spokesman for the Agra Mas bus operator, said. "Today (Monday), the numbers of passengers (per trip) dropped to only seven or eight people."
The temporary closure of Baranangsiang station led to long lines of passengers at the Ciawi crossing.
Protests also escalated across the nation Monday, with demonstrators displaying their opposition to Bush's visit in some unusual and creative ways.
In the West Java capital of Bandung, student protesters dressed up one of their number as Bush before draping him in an American flag and setting him on fire. The double was apparently not injured in the stunt. "Don't let (Bush) tell us what to do. His party lost (in the midterm elections) anyway, so why should we let him control us?" said Shidarta, a protester.
Fast-food restaurants were the target of student groups who took to the streets in Yogyakarta and Surabaya.
The Gadjah Mada University Students Alliance Against Bush, the Indonesia Students Front and Indonesian Students Movement held separate protests Monday on a main road in Yogyakarta. After the protest, some 300 front members sealed off two restaurants they claimed represented the US.
In Surabaya, the demonstrations turned violent, with protesters clashing with police when they refused calls to disperse. Several students were reportedly beaten in the fracas.
The National Student League for Democracy and Left Democratic Force used the visit to call on the government to take over foreign mining businesses here. Some students then marched to a McDonald's restaurant near the US consulate office where they fought with police guarding the area.
In Makassar, groups protesting included the Indonesian Nationalist Students Movement and the Muhammadiyah Students Association.