Rallies in support of West Papua independence

Heavily armed Indonesian security forces were unable to prevent a mass rally of tens of thousands of protesters who are demanding a Referendum on the future of the province. Thousands of Papuans Marched on the streets of Jayapura on 2 August, paralyzing the provincial capital with their huge numbers. Supporters of the National Committee for West Papua (KNPB) took to the streets in at least seven major towns in Papua and West Papua provinces, as well as in Jakarta. In the Jakarta protest held in front of the Presidential Palace, Surya Anta, a leading member of People’s Liberation Party of Indonesia was arrested for giving a solidarity speech. He was subsequently released. More information here.

Heavily armed Indonesian security forces were unable to prevent a mass rally of tens of thousands of protesters who are demanding a Referendum on the future of the province. Thousands of Papuans Marched on the streets of Jayapura on 2 August, paralyzing the provincial capital with their huge numbers. Supporters of the National Committee for West Papua (KNPB) took to the streets in at least seven major towns in Papua and West Papua provinces, as well as in Jakarta. In the Jakarta protest held in front of the Presidential Palace, Surya Anta, a leading member of People’s Liberation Party of Indonesia was arrested for giving a solidarity speech. He was subsequently released. More information here.