---

 Wave of anti-Bush protests continue

[The following is a compilation of abridged
translations of protests between November 17-18
against US President George W. Bush’s planned visit
to the West Java city of Bogor on November 20.
Translated by James Balowski.]

---

Palu students continue protests against Bush

Protests by students in the Central Sulawesi
provincial capital of Palu against George Bush’s
visit are continuing. On November 17 around 100
students from a number of tertiary institutions
again held an actions in the main streets of the
city.

The protest by students from the Central Sulawesi
Student Forum (FMST) began with a march to the
Hasanuddin roundabout where they gave speeches
opposing Bush’s visit saying he is a leader that
likes war and a symbol of the capitalist class that
is only seeking profits for the US without giving an
opportunity to other countries to develop.

After giving speeches, the students set fire to old
tyres and posters of Bush while they sang Indonesian
nationalist songs.

They then moved off to demonstrate at the Central
Sulawesi Regional House of Representatives (DPRD)
building but were prevented from entering by police.
Frustrated the students tried to burn tyres but
police seized the fuel and tyres and a clash between
the protesters and police was narrowly avoided.
(Kompas Cyber Media, 17/11/2006)

Wave of protests against Bush in Padang

There has been another wave of protests against
George Bush in the West Sumatra provincial capital
of Padang, where around 500 protesters from a number
of Islamic mass organisations demonstrated at the
provincial DPRD on November 17.

"Bush’s arrival should have been anticipated and
rejected. The president of the Republic of Indonesia
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) must understand the
people’s wishes. We are opposing [the visit] not
just because of the economic problems, but also for
the benefit of the community", said Forum Libas
coordinator Khairul Amri in a speech.

Amri added that the Islamic community in West
Sumatra opposes Bush’s visit because he is
destroying Islamic countries such as Palestine,
Afghanistan and Lebanon. Closely guarded by police,
the demonstration proceeded peacefully with
protesters handing over a banner filled with
signatures opposing Bush’s visit to DPRD speaker
Masful. (Kompas Cyber Media, 17/11/2006)

Islamic boarding school pupils protest in Jombang

Lively protests against the visit by George Bush are
continuing across the country. In the East Java city
of Jombang for example, hundreds of Islamic
religious pupils (Santri) form the Tebuireng Islamic
boarding school besieged the Jombang DPRD in protest
against the visit.

The protesters, most of who were in their teens,
took turns in giving speeches then moved off to
demonstrate at the Jombang regional government
offices. They were unable to enter the grounds
however as the building was cordoned off by security
personnel. Before ending the action, the protesters
set fire to two US flags. (Liputan 6, 17/11/2006)

Protesters hang effigy of Bush from palm tree

In the North Sumatra provincial capital of Medan,
around 1,200 members and sympathisers of the
Prosperity and Justice Party (PKS) held an action on
November 17 in which an effigy of President Bush was
hung from a palm tree.

After gathering at the Great Mosque the protesters
held a long march to the US representative office
where they held speeches accusing Bush of being a
terrorist and failing to take responsibility for
various humanitarian tragedies around the world. "We
oppose Bush coming to Indonesia, and ask the
government to oppose all forms of intervention and
dictates from Bush", said PKS chairperson Gatot
Pudjo Nugroho.

The protesters also held a theatrical action in
which Bush was tried as an international criminal.
During the hearing Bush was accused of being
responsible for the murder of Iraqi, Afghanistan and
Palestinian people and after being declared guilty
sentenced to death by hanging. An effigy of Bush was
then hung from a palm tree near the US
representative office. (Detik.com, 17/11/2006)

Yudhoyono hangs ’Bush’ in front of the State Palace

President Yudhoyono gave an important lesson to the
arrogant George Bush by hanging him in front of the
State Palace with a red-and-white cloth on November
17.

Of course it wasn’t the real Yudhoyono and Bush, but
a theatrical action that took place during a protest
action by demonstrators from the Action Coalition
for the Eviction of Bush (KAUB). Yudhoyono’s bravery
was also only theatrical. The evidence, the 100 or
so demonstrators still brought a brown duck to
symbolise the Indonesian government tail-ending the
wishes of the US.

In addition to bring flags from their respective
organisations, the protesters also put up a long
banner with the message “Bush go to hell, please”
and smaller banners with the writing "Oppose the
policies of SBY-Kalla who lick Bush’s ass“and”Chase Bush out of Indonesia". (Detik.com,
17/11/2006)

Three corpses ’murdered by Bush’ dumped into pool

After being brutally murdered by ’Bush’, three
corpses were then disposed of in the pool at the
Hotel Indonesia roundabout in Central Jakarta.
Before being dumped, the three people were beaten
bloody until they met their doom at the hands of
’Bush’. Ruthless!

This was a theatrical action held by some 50 members
of the National Awakening Youth Movement (Garda
Bangsa) on November 17 to depict the blood spilled
by Bush’s foreign policies.

During the action the protesters called on Yudhoyono
have the confidence to reject being dictated to by
the US and to give a lesson to Bush and the US about
genuine human rights and democracy. Garda Bangsa
chairperson Idam Darmana said that the protest was
not about accepting or receiving Bush’s visit. "We
don’t want to get trapped in that polemic.
Nevertheless we still see Bush as a perpetrator of
gross human rights. That is what we are protesting",
he said.

The protesters also brought a number of banners with
messages such as “Beware of Bush”, "Bush is an
international criminal“,”Bring Bush before the
International and Human Rights courts“and”Mr Bush,
don’t teach us about democracy and human rights".
(Detik.com, 17/11/2006)

Bogor students tell Bush to ‘go to hell’

In one of the largest actions to date, eight
students carried a coffin covered with a green cloth
with the writing “Go to Hell Bush!” followed by
around 700 students during a march to the Bogor
Palace on November 17.

Organised by the Student Executive Councils (BEM)
from the Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB) the
Ibnu Khaldun University and the Pakuan University,
this was one of the largest student actions so far.

Marching behind the coffin, other students held a
theatrical action depicting US pressure and the
‘hidden’ agenda of Bush’s visit to Indonesia. Other
students meanwhile shouted anti-Bush slogans such as
“Hang Bush” and “Bush is a terrorist”. (Detik.com,
17/11/2006)

Thousands demonstrate against Bush in Bandung

Anti-Bush demonstrations are continuing to flare up
in West Java provincial capital of Bandung. On
November 17 thousands of people from Islamic mass
organisations protested at the Sate Building Complex
at which the accused the government of betraying
Islam by allowing the Bush visit to go ahead.

At least 10 mass organisations were involved in the
protest including Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI), the
PKS, the Indonesian Council for Islamic Propagation
(DDII), the Islamic Community Brotherhood Forum
(FUUI), the Indonesian Muslim Students Action Front
(KAMMI), Muhammadiyah, United Islam (Persis), the
Islamic Community Party (PUI) and the Indonesian
Youth Movement (GPI).

As well as bringing their respective organisational
flags, the protesters also brought a banners with
the writing “Bush is a war criminal” and one with a
picture of Bush wearing clothing and a moustache ala
Hitler. In speeches, representatives of the
organisations said that the Muslim community rejects
Bush’s visit and called the Indonesian government a
traitor to Islam. (Detik.com, 17/11/2006)

Inter-religious youth organisations present protest
letter for Bush

Representatives from seven inter-religious youth
organisations went to the US Embassy in Jakarta on
November 17 to present a letter opposing Bush’s
visit to the US Ambassador for Indonesia Lynn
Pascoe.

The seven organisations included Muhammadiyah Youth,
the Ansor Youth Movement, the Indonesian Buddhist
Youth Generation (Gema Budhi), Pradah Indonesia, the
Indonesian Christian Youth Generation Movement
(GAMKI), Catholic Youth (PK) and the Confucian Youth
Generation (GMK).

One of the representatives from GP Ansor, Malik
Haramain, said that in addition to delivering the
letter, they are also calling on Bush to stop using
political double standards and taking an arbitrary
attitude towards other countries by taking up issues
of human rights and democracy. “We are also asking
the American government to stop the invasion of and
aggression against Middle Eastern countries and to
place itself alongside other countries”, said
Haramain. Meanwhile the head of Muhammadiyah Youth,
Raja Juli Antoni, said Pascoe responded positively
to the protest letter and promised to pass it on to
Bush when he arrives on November 20. (Detik.com,
17/11/2006)

Indramayu students seal off US fast food outlet

Hundreds of students from Islamic mass organisations
in the West Java town of Indramayu protested at the
local DPRD on November 17 against the visit by
George Bush. They also sealed off a US fast food
outlet to symbolise their opposition to the visit.
(Liputan 6, 17/11/2006)

Yogyakarta students seal off McDonalds

Hundreds of protesters from the Muslim Students
Association for Reform (splinter group of HMI)
sealed of a McDonald’s restaurant in the Central
Java city of Yogyakarta on November 17 as a symbolic
protest against George Bush’s visit.

The restraint was sealed off by sticking up pictures
of Bush with the worlds “Wanted” underneath it and
writing the words “sealed off” on the front door.
Although surprised, the patrons did not appear
greatly disturbed by the action.

The sealing off of McDonalds was not in fact the
target of the protest but a spontaneous action that
took place during a rally from the Gajah Mada
University roundabout to the Yogyakarta monument.

In addition to rejecting Bush’s visit, the
protesters also condemned the Indonesian government
for accepting him as a guest. “We reject the
governments excessive position in greeting Bush”,
said action coordinator Zwar M Syafei. (Tempo
Interactive, 17/11/2006)

Protesters in Bali oppose Bush visit

Hundreds of protesters from the KAMMI and the Campus
Religious Foundation (LDK) in Bali held a
demonstration on November 17 against George Bush’s
visit to Indonesia.

The demonstration began with a gathering for Friday
prayers in front of the Bali governor’s office where
they put up a length of cloth with the writing
“Reject Bush: War criminal: Imperialist-Capitalist”.
They then held a march to the US Consulate General
during which they shouted anti-Bush slogans and
declared their support for the struggle of the
Palestinian people. (Tempo Interactive, 17/11/2006)

Pekanbaru students make live radio broadcast
opposing Bush visit

Students in the Riau provincial capital of Pekanbaru
have also indicated their opposition to the visit by
George Bush by burning US flags and an effigy of
Bush during a demonstration on November 18.

The action by around 300 students from various
tertiary education institutions began at the
roundabout in front of the Pekanbaru mayor’s office
followed by a march to the Radio Republic Indonesia
(RRI) building. The protesters also handed out
leaflets in which they said Pekanbaru students
protest the position of the Yudhoyono government in
accepting Bush’s visit as it will cost some 6
billion rupiah. Upon arriving at the RRI building,
the students were given an opportunity to make a
live broadcast in which they read out a statement
opposing the visit. (Detik.com, 18/11/2006)

Protesters say ‘Soekarno yes, Hugo Caves yes, Evo
Morales yes, Bush no way!’

Around 100 people wearing traditional clothing from
the Archipelago Alliance (AN) held an action against
George Bush’s visit at the Hotel Indonesia
roundabout on November 18 after holding a long-march
from the Indosat Building.

The alliance is a coalition of social organisations
including the Commission for Missing Persons and
Victims of Violence (Kontras), the Urban Poor
Consortium (UPC), the Legal Aid Institute (LBH), the
Indonesian Environmental Forum (Walhi), the Families
of the May Victims (KKM) and the Indonesian Women’s
Coalition (KPI).

Wearing traditional clothing form Aceh, North
Sumatra, West Papua, Sulawesi, Nusa Tenggara and
Kalimantan, they circled the roundabout accompanied
by Tor-Tor music from Tapanuli and songs from
Minang. The traditional cloths were worn to
represent places where foreign companies are
exploiting the Indonesian people.

They also brought banners with messages such as
“Bush Indonesia Number 1 Enemy”, "Bush you are
unwelcome here!“,”Soekarno yes, Hugo Caves yes, Evo
Morales yes, Bush no way!“and”Bush is a
scoundrel".

In a speech, one of the action coordinators, Yenny
Rosa Damayanti, read out a letter to Bush in which
she said that the government had committed a grave
error in accepting the visit. “We reject your visit,
because you make threats against terrorism but it is
precisely [you] that goes to war like a terrorist.
To take the minerals and mine energy sources that
belong to the Indonesian people. Moreover these
companies destroy the environment, therefore we
reject you!”, she said. (Detik.com, 18/11/2006)

US embassy ambushed by five ’monkeys’

Demonstrations against George Bush have been diverse
in nature. On November 18 protesters from the PKS
held a theatrical action wearing monkey suits in
front of the US Embassy in Central Jakarta.

During the protests by some 200 or so PKS members,
five demonstrators dressed up as monkeys, one
wearing a Bush mask, pranced around with the ’Bush’
monkey pointing at and ordering the other four
monkeys around. The four monkeys nodded their heads
in response. The protesters said that they were
depicting countries that are US allies and easily
ordered around.

The demonstrators also brought a number of posters
with messages such as "Wanted Killer In The World
2006“and”Original Terrorist". (Detik.com,
18/11/2006)

Students reject US capitalist hegemony

Three thousand people from the Student Movement for
Liberation, a coalition of student groups from the
IPB and the Ibnu Khaldum University held an action
against George Bush at the Kujang Monument on
November 18.

The action, which started in front of the offices of
Indonesian Institute of Science, was followed by a
two-kilometer march to the monument. In speeches the
student said that they opposed Bush’s visit because
he will only be seeking to strengthen US capitalist
hegemony in Indonesia.

In addition to giving speeches, the students also
brought posters condemning the visit with messages
such as “Along with Bush we are despicable”, "Reject
and destroy US capitalist hegemony" and the like.
(Detik.com, 18/11/2006)

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 Anti-Bush demonstrations escalate in lead up to visit

[The following is a compilation of abridged
translations of protests between November 15-16
against US President George W. Bush’s planned visit
to the West Java city of Bogor on November 20.
Translated by James Balowski.]

---

No end in sight for Anti-Bush demonstrations in
Bogor

Scores of students and members of Islamic mass
organisations collected signatures yesterday in the
West Java city of Bogor to petition against the
planned visit by US President George W. Bush on
November 20.

The activists came from a number of organisations
including the Muslim Students Association for Reform
(HMI MPO), the Indonesian Nationalist Students
Movement (GMNI), the Indonesian Islamic Students
Movement (PMII), the Indonesian Christian Students
Movement (GMKI), Democrat Youth and the Nahdlatul
Ulama Youth Generation (AMNU).

After collecting a thousand or more signatures from
street traders, pedicab drivers, shoppers, drivers
and local residents, they handed the petition over
to the Bogor regional police chief Sukrawardi
Dahlan. Dahlan said that they would pass the
activists concerns on to the relevant party but
added that he had no authority beyond this. (Tempo
Interactive, 15/11/2006)

Court sentences Bush to ’burn in hell’

Lively protests against George Bush’s visit are
continuing across the country. In the West Sumatra
provincial capital of Padang, the West Sumatra Forum
for the Upholding of Islamic Law (FPSIS) held a
“trail in absentia” on November 15 in which the
panel of judges sentenced Bush to burn in hell for
crimes against Islamic countries.

In South Sulawesi provincial capital of Makassar,
students demonstrating against Bush said they would
boycott the 2009 general elections if President
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) and Vice President
Jusuf Kalla insisted on bring Bush to Indonesia.

Hundreds of members and sympathisers of the Justice
and Prosperity Party (PKS) in the East Java
provincial capital of Surabaya demonstrated by
marching to the US Consulate. Upon arriving however,
they were stopped by a police line some 100 meters
from the consulate.

In Jakarta, members of the Hizbullah Crescent Star
Brigade held a similar action at the US Embassy in
which they urged the government to cancel Bush’s
visit saying its popularity would decline because of
the US’s involvement in the war in Iraq and
Afghanistan. (Liputan 6, 15/11/2006)

Anti-Bush protesters and supporters almost clash

Tensions were high at the Kujang Monument in Bogor
today when protesters opposing and supporting a
visit by George Bush traded insults and almost
clashed before being separated by police.

The first demonstration was held by students from
the Muslim Students Association (HMI) and the
Fraternity of Indonesian Muslim Workers (PPMI) who
gave speeches opposing Bush’s visit. At the same
time some 150 Bush supporters arrived and put up a
US flag and a banner welcoming Bush. In order to
avoid a clash, the HMI and PPMI protests moved to
another locating to continue their demonstration.

Around an hour later, some 200 students from the
Bogor Pakuan University arrived at the monument with
banners opposing Bush. Both groups began trading
insults with the students accusing the Bush
supporters of betraying the country. In order to
avoid a clash, police moved the Pakuan students to
another location. (Tempo Interactive, 15/11/2006)

Public transport drivers, students protest Bush
visit

Demonstrations are continuing in Bogor in the lead
up to a visit by George Bush. This time it was
public transport drivers who on November 15
protested against changes to their designated routes
that will come into force during the visit, which
they say will result in a decline in income.

Earlier this morning, members of the Indonesian
Students Action Front (KAMI) and the PPMI held a
protest at the Kujang Monument, not far from the
Bogor Botanical Guardians, in which they handed out
leaflets condemning Bush’s visit.

And this afternoon, the Kujang Monument was
inundated by around 200 people from the Bogor Henry
Center Association who support the visit saying that
as a state guest Bush should be respected. (Liputan
6, 15/11/2006)

Yogyakarta protesters ’curse Bush with black magic’

A demonstration against George Bush was also held by
around 60 students from the Islamic State University
in the Central Java city of Yogyakarta on November
15 in which the protesters set fire to tyres and
shouted “Come on curse Bush with black magic!”.

The action started at the Yogyakarta Monument
intersection where they gave speeches, set fire to
tyres and shouted insults against Bush such as "Bush
the real terrorist!". In particular they questioned
the cost of security for the visit that will be as
much as 6 billion rupiah. "It would be better if
that much money is used for the people’s welfare",
charged the students. After about 30 minutes they
moved off to demonstrate at the Regional House of
Representatives (DPRD). (Detik.com, 16/11/2006)

Students and Islamic groups protest against Bush in
Solo

Two separated demonstrations against Bush’s visit
were held in the Central Java city of Solo on
November 16.

The first protest was held by members of the Student
Executive Council (BEM) Forum from the Eleven March
University (UNS) at the UNS boulevard. In addition
to opposing Bush’s visit to Indonesia the students
also collected signatures from other students
demonstrating against the visit. The student said
that Bush’s visit is an attempt to influence and
lobby Indonesia and the alleged reason for the
visit, joint cooperation in education, health and
anti-corruption is lies.

The second protest was held by the Surakarta Islamic
Community Forum (FUIS), which is made
representatives from various Muslim based
organisations in Solo including the PKS, the United
Development Party, Hizbut Tahir Indonesia (HTI), the
Indonesian Muslim Students Action Front (KAMMI) and
the Al-Mukmin Ngruki Islamic boarding school. In a
press statement read out to members of the Solo
DPRD, the FUIS called on the government to cancel
the visit saying it was a waste of time and money.
(Detik.com, 16/11/2006)

Opposing Bush, students march backward to State
Palace

Around 300 students who said that Yudhoyono and
Kalla have taken a step back by accepting a visit by
George Bush, protested by marching backwards from
the Hotel Indonesia roundabout to the State Palace
on November 16.

The 300 students, who were followed by around 700
others from KAMMI and the Greater Jakarta BEM,
stopped off and held a short demonstration in front
of McDonald’s at the Sarinah department store where
they shouted “Boycott US products” before continuing
on to the palace. (Detik.com, 16/11/2006)

Anti-Bush demonstration in Medan ends in clash

A demonstration in the North Sumatra provincial
capital of Medan on November 16 against the visit by
George Bush has ended in a clash when some 200
protesters were involved in a scuffle with around
100 police.

The protesters, who come from the Anti-Imperialist
People’s Alliance (ARAI), which is an alliance of
various student groups in Medan, had been
demonstrating since 11am saying they opposed Bush’s
visit and were against western imperialism in
Indonesia.

The clash broke out at around 1pm when they were
confronted by a blockade of armed police in front of
the US representative offices. When the students
attempted to break through the blockade a scuffle
broke out resulting in four students being injured.
(Detik.com, 16/11/2006)

Anti-Bush demonstrations spread to State Palace

It has not just been the Bogor palace that has been
rocked by anti-Bush demonstrations, the State Palace
in Central Jakarta has also become a target.

On November 16 some 300 students from the Anti-US
Student Youth Coalition (Kompaas) held a protest at
the State Palace. In addition to bring banners of
their respective groups they also brought posters
with messages such as “Bush is the same as Hitler”,
“Bush is a war criminal” and “We reject Bush”.

They also held a theatrical action in which a
student brought monopoly money to symbolise US
dollars that was then trampled on by a group of
demonstrators. (Detik.com, 16/11/2006)

Students in Aceh say ’SBY, don’t pawn off Indonesia’

Scores of students from the Concern for the Nation
Student Alliance (AMPB) held a demonstration against
George Bush’s visit at Simpang Lima in the Acehnese
provincial capital of Banda Aceh on November 16.

AMPB is made up of students from the Syah Kuala
University Student Administration, the Ar-Raniry
State Institute of Islamic Studies BEM, KAMMI Aceh,
the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) Aceh, Student
Solidarity for the People (SMUR) and HTI Aceh.

The protesters brought a number of banners
condemning Bush’s visit including one on which was
written “SBY, don’t pawn of Indonesia”. A picture of
Bush was also placed near one of a chimpanzee,
underneath were the words "American elections.
Choose Bush or a monkey".

In speeches the group called on President Yudhoyono
to be on guard against hidden agendas and the US’s
interests in order that they not harm the nation and
sate. They also asked the president to take a firm
position on the double standards being applied by
the US.

After reading a statement the protesters then set
fire to Bush’s picture and the US flags. A dog that
the students had been brought to the protest in a
cage as ’lure’ for Bush would also have been burnt
if not for the quick action of journalists.

To close the action, they held a parody of the
International Court trying Bush for the slaughter of
civilians in Palestine, Iraq and Lebanon. The
lightening fast hearing ended with the “judge”
sentencing Bush to death by being shot with a
missile. (Detik.com/Aceh Kita, 16/11/2006)