30 Nov 2019 | 09:44 PM UTC
Indonesia: Mass rally to take place in Jakarta December 2
A mass rally has been called at the National Monument in Jakarta on December 2; heightened security presence and traffic disruptions expected
Event
The National Movement to Safeguard Ulema Fatwas (GNPF) has called for a rally to take place around the National Monument in Jakarta on Monday, December 2. The rally, originally set to commemorate the anniversary of the 212 protest movement's mass rally held on the same date in 2016, may now instead celebrate Maulid Nabi and mark the Prophet's birthday.
A heightened security presence and significant traffic disruptions are to be expected in the vicinity of the rally.
Context
The 212 protest movement began in 2016 amid allegations Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama, a Chinese Christian politician, committed blasphemy against Islam. Islamist groups, like the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), organized a sustained protest movement which ultimately culminated in Ahok losing his election bid and his sentencing for blasphemy. Official estimates of previous rallies included as many as 200,000 participants.
Advice
Individuals in Jakarta are advised to monitor the situation, anticipate increased security presence and transportation disruptions in the vicinity of the protests, avoid all public demonstrations as a precaution.
