David Saut, Jakarta – Around 60 people held an “Indonesia Without the FPI” protest action at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle at 4pm this afternoon. Compared with the number of protesters however, there were more police officers on guard, numbering in the hundreds.

The protesters demanded that the government provide a sense of safety and security to society and protect them from violence.

“Our hope is a peaceful Indonesia without violence”, said action coordinator Vivi Widyawati speaking to journalists at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle on JL. MH Thamrin in Central Jakarta on Tuesday February 14.

According to Widyawati, protesters from the “Indonesia Without the FPI Movement” are not afraid if the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) does not accept the demonstration. “If they commit violence, then we will fight back by peaceful means”, she said.

Widyawati added that the action represented a declaration of anger against all forms of violence that are taking place at the moment. “So if FPI demonstrators arrive we are ready to hold a dialogue with them”, she said.

As of 4.15pm traffic in vicinity of the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle was still flowing smoothly. The number of protesters continues to grow with hundreds of police officers on guard. The organisers of the demonstration have been promoting the peaceful action through Twitter and BlackBerry Messenger since Monday. (nrl/nrl)

[60-an Orang Aksi Damai ‘Indonesia Tanpa FPI’ di Bundaran HI – detikNews. Selasa, 14/02/2012. Translated by James Balowski.]