Black Smoke Blankets DPR Gate as Workers Burn Tyres and Banners Demanding Their Voices Be Heard

Thick black smoke billowed high in front of the main gate of the DPR RI as the International Workers’ Day (May Day) protest crowd burned tyres and banners on Friday (1/5/2026). They demanded that their voices be heard. The burning action occurred around 4:25 PM Western Indonesia Time. A tyre was set alight in the middle of the road, followed by banners that had previously been stretched across the fence. The acrid smell of burning rubber filled the air, causing several participants to cover their faces with masks or cloths. Since noon, the area in front of the DPR RI building had been crowded with a mass of students and workers. They stood closely packed in front of the gate, some wearing alumni jackets, carrying backpacks, and waving organisational flags. Orations were delivered in turns from atop a command vehicle using loudspeakers. Banners containing demands were stretched across the fence, while some participants sat on road barriers to listen. After a musical performance by Efek Rumah Kaca, the crowd refocused their attention on the front lines, shouting cheers following the orator. Amid the plumes of smoke, the orations continued. The crowd occasionally cheered while raising the Red and White flag. “This burning is a symbol that our voices must be seen (heard),” said Rizky (24), one of the worker participants in the action, when met by Kompas.com at the location. Until 4:30 PM Western Indonesia Time, the crowd remained in front of the DPR RI gate. Some sat and others continued to stand, following the course of the action. Meanwhile, traffic on Jalan Gatot Subroto remained closed.