Protesters peacefully disperse May Day demonstration at DPR despite lighting flares

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The burning of flares and protest symbols concluded the International Labour Day (May Day) demonstration in front of the MPR/DPR RI building on Friday afternoon, which ended peacefully without clashes or disturbances. ANTARA’s observations at the site showed that the protesters lit flares around 5:30 PM Western Indonesia Time. The smoke from the burning rose as far as the toll road, which was only separated from the gathering point by a wall fence. Afterwards, at 5:40 PM, the crowd burned several protest symbols such as banners, wood, and an effigy on a wheeled cart. This burning marked the end of the demonstration in front of the MPR/DPR building. The workers’ action on Friday concluded peacefully without clashes or disturbances. Gradually, the protesters began to leave the location on their own. Coordinators from various unions or alliances were also seen directing their groups’ departure using loudspeakers. At 5:57 PM, police officers were observed extinguishing the fire from the burned symbols using fire extinguishers, then cleaning up the debris. Several PPSU personnel also began sweeping the roads that were quite littered with rubbish from the protesters. Several police officers were also seen remaining on standby at the location after the demonstration had ended. Meanwhile, several two-wheeled vehicle riders from the south were still held at the police blockade under the Senayan flyover. Road conditions gradually returned to normal after being cleaned by personnel. The blockade was then lifted, allowing traffic to flow smoothly again.