Muhammad Nur Abdurrahman, Jakarta – The commemoration of May Day in the Makassar Industrial Area (Kima) in South Sulawesi provincial capital of Makassar descended into chaos on Thursday May 1.
Around 100 workers from the Social Solidarity Action for the Indonesian People (Samurai) tried to force their way into a bread factory that was allegedly still operating on the May Day holiday.
The Samurai demonstrators damaged the factory fence and broke into the factory in Jl. Kapasa Raya. Earlier, they had clashed with police. The protesters were looking fro factory workers who were still working but were not able to find a single worker. Despite the clash, no workers were arrested during the incident.
In addition to the Kima complex, the Samurai protesters also held a free speech forum underneath the flyover on Jl. Urip Sumoharjo.
During the action, the demonstrators held their ground against officers from the Makassar municipal police who tried to block them from holding a protest action on the side of the road at the intersection of Jl. Urip Sumoharjo and AP Pettarani at the Reformasi toll road entrance.
Scores of officers from the tactical police unit (Samapta) erected a barricade to block the workers from entering the street. Because they were unable to enter they were forced to hold the action at the park under the flyover. (mna/asp)
[Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service.]
