Mass prayer fails to materialize<\/p>\n
Ahmad Junaidi and Abu Hanifah, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Claims that hundreds of thousands of protesters would conduct
\nan anti-U.S. mass prayer in the National Monument (Monas) park,
\nCentral Jakarta, proved to be groundless on Friday, with no more
\nthan a thousand people gathering in the park near the U.S.
\nEmbassy.<\/p>\n
There was no mass prayer, but hundreds of police officers
\ndeployed to safeguard the embassy on Jl. Medan Merdeka Selatan,
\nheld Friday prayers, led by Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen.
\nSofjan Yacoeb.<\/p>\n
Dozens of students grouped under the Indonesian Muslim
\nStudent's Action Front (KAMMI), who had rallied in front of the
\nembassy since the morning, left before the prayer began.<\/p>\n
Sofjan expressed his gratitude that there was no mass prayer.<\/p>\n
\"So far, it's safe and under control. There was no mass
\nprayer, as was rumored (to occur),\" Sofjan told reporters in
\nfront of the embassy.<\/p>\n
He said police deployed about 3,500 officers in anticipation
\nof the event on Friday, as well as 2,500 civilian defense
\n(Hansip) officers.<\/p>\n
He promised to forcibly disperse demonstrators if they did not
\nleave after dark.<\/p>\n
Larger groups of people, totaling around one thousand, started
\ngathering on the road in front of the embassy at about 2 p.m..<\/p>\n
Besides KAMMI, they represented various organizations,
\nincluding the Association of Islamic Students (HMI), Islam
\nDefenders Front (FPI) and the Indonesian Muslim Movement (GPI).<\/p>\n
The demonstrators unfurled large banners reading \"Indonesia
\ndoes not need diplomatic relations with aggressors\" and \"Stop
\nbuying weapons from the U.S.\".<\/p>\n
They also demanded that the government seize and nationalize
\nassets belonging to the U.S. and its allies, such as Vico, BP and
\nMcDonalds.<\/p>\n
An effigy of U.S. President George W. Bush, with firecrackers
\nattached to it, was burned by the protesters.<\/p>\n
A police water canon was used to extinguish the flames and
\nforced the protesters to leave the scene.<\/p>\n
Some demonstrators then threw stones at the officers. One rock
\nhit a reporter, who suffered minor head injuries.<\/p>\n
Group leaders managed to pacify their members and control the
\nrally, which began to calm when the protesters conducted an Asyar
\n(afternoon prayer) on the road in front of the embassy.<\/p>\n
At about 5 p.m., they started to leave the area, however some
\nheaded toward the Merdeka Palace on Jl. Medan Merdeka Utara, in
\nan attempt to communicate their demands.<\/p>\n
Presidential guards were shocked to see the demonstrators
\napproaching the palace gates and police officers, also caught by
\nsurprise, hurried to the scene.<\/p>\n
As protesters jostled with security forces to get closer to
\nthe palace, police officers then fired tear gas to disperse the
\ncrowd.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Sofjan Yacoeb stated that police were continuing
\ntheir investigation of six protesters arrested on Wednesday for
\ntearing up an American flag, possessing machetes and
\npickpocketing during the demonstrations.<\/p>\n
\"The investigation regarding the six protesters is underway at
\nthe moment. Today, I asked that they be taken to court soon,
\nbecause this is just a simple case. They will be charged with
\nviolating an article in Law No. 9\/1998,\" Sofjan told The Jakarta
\nPost in front of the U.S. Embassy.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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