Struggles in Indonesia
Featured image: Protest in front of the parliament
Indonesian police attacked protesters against a new election law on Thursday with tear gas and water cannons trying to disperse thousands. Protesters attempted to storm the parliament building after they tore down a section of fence, directly confronted the cops and threw rocks at the police. Protesters occupied roads in front of the building. Some held banners and signs, while others started a fire and burned tires. The incidents once more show the crisis of imperialism, which is unable to maintain its order in the downtrodden countries of the Third World.
In the large mobilization activists, students, workers and artists participated. Protests were also reported in other big cities, including Bandung, Yogyakarta, Surabaya and Makassar also opposing President Jokowi (Joko Widodo) rule.
Parliament backed down from their plans to ratify the series of unpopular election laws after the protests. They were set to be confirmed in the Thursday’s plenary session but were abandoned after failing to reach a quorum.