Adinda Jasmine, Jakarta – A wave of solidarity from the Indonesian diaspora has emerged in cities around the world, as hundreds of citizens abroad rallied in support of the ongoing demonstrations back home. From New York to Melbourne and Berlin, Indonesians overseas echoed the calls for justice and reform.
Long march in New York
In New York City, hundreds of Indonesian diaspora members staged a long march on Monday, September 1, 2025. The procession began at Central Park and ended at the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI). The demonstration was publicized by the @logos_id account on X.
"Hundreds of Indonesian diaspora walked from Central Park to KJRI New York City to commemorate the loss of 10 friends during the protests this week," the post read.
Upon arrival, the demonstrators were welcomed by Consul General Winanto Adi, to whom they handed over the document titled "17+8 People's Demands." Winanto assured participants that the demands would be relayed to Foreign Minister Sugiono.
The event continued with a collective prayer and candlelight vigil for those who lost their lives in the recent protests. "The prayer session has begun. With tears, we mourn the souls of our friends and ask for justice to be upheld in our country," @logos_id wrote.
The New York rally was organized by several diaspora communities, including Amerika Bergerak, Nongki NYC, Ruang Karsa NYC, Columbia Indonesia Society, NYU Indonesia, Indo Runners New York, as well as Indonesian students and residents across New York and New Jersey.
Pink protest in Melbourne
In Melbourne, Australia, a solidarity gathering took place the following day, Tuesday, September 2, 2025. According to a live Instagram broadcast by @melbournebergerak, demonstrators began assembling at Federation Square from 2:30 p.m. local time.
Ahead of the event, organizers had issued a call on X: "CALL FOR ACTION FRIENDS IN MELBOURNE AND SURROUNDINGS!! See you at Federation Square tomorrow 4.30 pm," wrote @MelBergerak. The post urged participants to wear pink.
The color pink has become a symbol of resistance since a viral image last week showed a veiled woman in pink confronting a police barricade during protests in Indonesia. Since then, pink attire has been widely adopted as a sign of courage, both on the streets and across social media.
Demonstration at Berlin's Brandenburg Gate
Meanwhile, in Berlin, Germany, Indonesian diaspora gathered on Sunday, August 31, 2025, in front of the Brandenburg Gate. Waving the red-and-white flag, participants sang the national anthem Indonesia Raya and other patriotic songs as an expression of solidarity with protesters back home.
These international demonstrations come amid escalating unrest in Indonesia. Since Thursday, August 25, 2025, protests have spread across major cities, sparked by public anger over salary and allowance hikes for members of the House of Representatives during worsening economic conditions.
The situation worsened after Affan Kurniawan, an online motorcycle taxi driver, was killed when struck by a tactical vehicle belonging to the Mobile Brigade (Brimob). His death fueled further outrage, with demonstrations turning into clashes that claimed more victims.
The 17+8 People's Demands
At the heart of these protests is a list of demands circulating widely on social media, known as the "17+8 People's Demands." Popular influencer Jerome Poline Sijabat, along with civil society groups, has been urging the government to meet these calls.
The document outlines 17 short-term and eight long-term demands. Immediate demands include withdrawing military forces from civil security duties, halting the criminalization of protesters, and establishing an independent investigation into the deaths of Affan Kurniawan and others.
Protesters have given the government until September 5, 2025, to respond. Until then, the demands continue to resonate both in Indonesia's streets and across diaspora communities worldwide.