Jakarta protesters blockade road after mass organisation bill passed

Detik News - July 2, 2013

Siti Aisyah, Jakarta – Around 600 people from various labour organisations held an action opposing the Draft Law on Mass Organisations (RUU Ormas) on Tuesday July 2. The demonstration, which was initially orderly, created traffic congestion after protesters closed the road.

The protesters began to flooding onto Jl. Gatot Subroto in the direction of Slipi, Jakarta, at around 11.50am. Despite the heavy rain, demonstrators from the Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPI), the Indonesian Metal Trade Workers Federation (FSPMI) and other mass organisations gave spirited speeches and unfurled banners and posters on the street.

They then halted the flow of traffic taking control of all the lanes so no vehicles were able to move. A traffic jam was unavoidable and continued until 12noon when the tail end of the rally finally arrived in front of the Metro Jaya regional police headquarters

"Today we intentionally closed the road, if they don't listen, no matter what the risk we'll take over", said Said, one of the speakers.

Scores of police officers could be seen on guard inside the House of Representatives (DPR) building. A Barracuda armoured vehicle was also in position to anticipate the possibility of riots. If you want to pass through the area, it would be better to seek an alternative route. (mad/nwk)

[Pendemo Anti RUU Ormas Blokir Jalan Depan DPR, Hindari Jl Gatot Subroto – detikNews. Selasa, 02/07/2013. Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft news service.]