Moksa Hutasoit, Jakarta – At least 30 people from the Papuan Student Alliance (AMP) demonstrated in Jakarta on Tuesday November 9 demanding that the PT Freeport Indonesia mine in Papua be closed.

The action was held immediately in front of the PT Freeport Indonesia office at Plaza 89 on Jl. HR Rasuna Said in Kuningan, South Jakarta.

The protesters brought posters with messages such as “Close Freeport” and “F*ck You Freeport”. One demonstrator, who appeared bare chested and only wearing underpants, walked round and round in a circle shouting “Close Freeport”.

The protesters then sat down cross-legged spilling over onto the slow lane from Mampang to Kuningan. As a consequence, traffic in the direction of Kuningan ground to a halt. Vehicles stuck in the slow lane were forced to stop and wait and when two determined motorbike riders tried to force their way through the protesters became angry.

After a request by police however, demonstrators cleared a small portion of the road for motorbikes and drivers were finally able to pass. Cars meanwhile were redirected to the fast lane in front of the Justice and Human Rights Department.

The action proceeded peacefully watched over by scores of police officers.

[Slightly abridged translated by James Balowski.]