Women protest at U.S. Embassy<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Some 50 women grouped in the Women's Coalition
\nstaged a rally in front of the American Embassy on Jl. Medan
\nMerdeka Selatan, Central Jakarta, on Thursday to demand the U.S.
\nwithdraw its support of the Indonesian Military.<\/p>\n
During the rally, the protesters read out a statement, warning
\nthe U.S. not to interfere in Indonesia's domestic affairs by
\nsupporting a planned limited military operation in Aceh.<\/p>\n
\"Because such support will only have a bad impact on the
\nprocess of fledging democracy in the country,\" one of the women
\nshouted.<\/p>\n
Some of the women carried tambourines and sang local pop
\nsongs, the lyrics of which they changed to relate to their
\nprotest. Activist Yenny Rosa Damayanti attended in a wheelchair
\npushed by a colleague.<\/p>\n
Some held posters addressing President George W. Bush, reading
\n\"Bush, don't even think of supporting the Indonesian Military\".
\nAnother poster read \"More military operations, more rapes\".<\/p>\n
The rally became heated when the women, gathered at the
\nembassy's gate, ignored Jakarta Police chief deputy Comr. Iza
\nFadjri's order to move back 50 meters.<\/p>\n
Some policewomen pushed them backward, but the protesters
\nresisted and pushed back even harder. The policewomen then gave
\nup and were replaced by dozens of policeman. Some of the
\nprotesting women fell over but none was injured.<\/p>\n
The women finally left the site and headed to the Ministry of
\nDefense to continue their protest.(01)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/women-protest-at-us-embassy-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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