Danang Sangga Buwana, Jakarta – Monday March 8 is International Women’s Day (IWD), and a number of groups from the pro-democracy movement held actions to commemorate the day.

For example, around 100 activists from the National Student Front (FMN) held a demonstration rejecting anti-people politicians and political parties. They held a long-march starting from Jalan Salemba Raya in Central Jakarta via Jalan Proklamasi, Jalan Diponegoro and Jalan Imam Bonjol ending up at the National Election Commission (KPU) offices.

In speeches in front of the KPU offices, they called on the public to reject rotten and questionable politicians who have been involved in corruption, collusion and nepotism and who have betrayed the people.

“We don’t want to be deceived anymore by those in power. Therefore the people must reject these anti-people politicians and political parties, especially those who support the commercialisation of education, [have been involved in] corruption, collusion and nepotism, [committed] gross human rights violations, land evictions and produced policies which hurt farmers, workers and the rights of women”, they shouted.

They also stated that women have taken a position that for as long as women’s rights are not fought for, women will reject the political parties and politicians participating in the general elections.

As of 10.20am, the action was still going on. After demonstrating at the KPU they continued their action at the Hotel Indonesia roundabout.  (nrl)

[Translated by James Balowski.]