Monument covered in protest<\/p>\n
MANOKWARI, Irian Jaya: Thousands of people expressed their
\nfeelings toward the government by covering the historic Act of
\nFree Choice monument, built 31 years ago, with a piece of black
\ncloth.<\/p>\n
The disgruntled locals said the two-meter monument standing at
\nthe Bay of Doreri reflected legal and moral defects in the
\nhistory of Irian Jaya.<\/p>\n
The Irianese also said the monument, built to commemorate the
\nintegration of Irian Jaya into Indonesia, contained historic
\ndeception.<\/p>\n
The United Nations handed over Irian Barat, the former name of
\nIrian Jaya, to the government of Indonesia on May 1, 1963 from
\nthe Dutch government, which had ruled it for decades.<\/p>\n
Barnabas Mandacaan, who led the rally, said the transfer of
\npower proved that Indonesia, in support of the Netherlands, the
\nUnited States and the United Nations, had robbed the Irianese of
\ntheir independence.<\/p>\n
During the ceremony, the national red and white flag was
\nhoisted along with the Papuan Morning Star flag. (34\/sur)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/monument-covered-in-protest-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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