Kids rally against gambling

Kids rally against gambling

BANDUNG (JP): Frustrated by the fact that ferocious
demonstrations against gambling and prostitution were always left
unheeded, an education activist here went to pupils for the job.

Dozens of students of Koran Ann-Nur kindergarten, who are aged
between four and six years old, rallied on Saturday to demand the
closure of an alleged gambling den and adultery house on Jl.
Gardujati.

Instead of marching on the street, the children were carried
by dozens of three-wheel pedicabs rented by the chairman of the
foundation running their kindergarten, Yayan Sofyan.

Flanking the children during the morning parade were their
parents.

Unlike students or adult demonstrators, the children, dressed
in Muslim attire, chanted the religious song Shalawat Badar and
yelled a hymn for God the Greatest during the rally. Many people
turned up to watch the protest.

The students earned Rp 5,000 each for their participation in
the parade.

Five-year-old Iqbal admitted he joined the protest upon his
teacher's orders. "I'm happy because I could join a parade with
my friends," the little boy said.

However, it was not a joyful trip for some children, who cried
asking for water.

The children played with their peers when the parade stopped
near a pub on Jl. Gardujati, while the adults talked with the
amusement center's owner.

"We just want to ask the provincial administration to quickly
eradicate the mushrooming immoral activities here. The children
must know that such activities are bad," Yayan said.

Yayan was questioned by subdistrict military officials over
the motives behind the rally. But he was released later in the
day. (25/edt)