- Title: Thousands call for national unity and tolerance in Indonesia
- Date: 4th December 2016
- Summary: JAKARTA, INDONESIA (DECEMBER 4, 2016) (REUTERS) RALLY ONGOING AT HOTEL INDONESIA (HI) ROUNDABOUT PEOPLE HOLDING GIANT INDONESIAN FLAG PEOPLE WALKING VARIOUS OF LION DANCE IN RALLY RALLY ONGOING VARIOUS OF GIANT INDONESIAN FLAG PEOPLE WALKING UNDERNEATH GIANT FLAG (SOUNDBITE) (Bahasa Indonesia) RALLY ATTENDEE, GEORGE AGUS SAYING: "We are Indonesia, a diverse nation of various ethnic groups living on different islands. We want to show the world, not only to Indonesia, but to the world that we're here united as one." LADIES WEARING RED AND WHITE TAKING PHOTOS (SOUNDBITE) (Bahasa Indonesia) RALLY ATTENDEE, LIN KAMERON SAYING: "I think this expression of emotion (protest) is just temporary, we hope it won't last long and everything will return to normal soon." (SOUNDBITE) (Bahasa Indonesia) RALLY ATTENDEE, JOSEPHINE TANDI SAYING: "Personally I think we need more leaders like Ahok (Basuki Tjahaja Purnama) and Jokowi (Joko Widodo), a person who wants our country to progress and someone who can lead us." PIGEONS BEING RELEASED PEOPLE TAKING PHOTOS OF PIGEONS HI ROUNDABOUT PEOPLE HOLDING FLAGS STANDING BY FOUNTAIN PEOPLE ON ROAD PEOPLE WEARING TRADITIONAL HEADWEAR TAKING PHOTOS FOUNTAIN/PEOPLE ATTEND RALLY PEOPLE ON ROAD
- Embargoed: 19th December 2016 04:52
- Keywords: Indonesia rally politics unity peace tolerance
- Location: JAKARTA, INDONESIA
- City: JAKARTA, INDONESIA
- Country: Indonesia
- Reuters ID: LVA0015BGW2F9
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Thousands of Indonesian filled the center of capital Jakarta on Sunday (December 4) calling for national unity and tolerance in a peace rally, two days after a massive protest against the city's governor.
"We are Indonesia, a diverse nation of various ethnic groups living on different islands. We want to show the world, not only to Indonesia, but to the world that we're here united as one," said Jakarta resident George Agus.
With crowd holding Indonesian national flags and "We are Indonesia" placards gathered near the city's landmark Hotel Indonesia (HI) roundabout, the rally was a stark contrast from Friday's (December 2) protest where about 150,000 white-clad protesters demanding governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama to be jailed.
"I think this expression of emotion (protest) is just temporary, we hope it won't last long and everything will return to normal soon," said a rally-goer Lin Kameron.
Purnama, an ethnic Chinese Christian, is being investigated over comments he made about his opponents' use of the Koran in political campaigning. He denies wrongdoing but has apologised for the remarks.
Popularly known as Ahok, Purnama is running for re-election in February against two Muslim candidates.
"Personally I think we need more leaders like Ahok (Basuki Tjahaja Purnama) and Jokowi (Joko Widodo), a person who wants our country to progress and someone who can lead us," said another Jakarta resident Josephine Tandi.
In recent weeks, tens of thousands have participated in similar rallies in several cities calling for unity and celebrating Indonesia's diversity.
Simmering religious and ethnic tension last month prompted President Joko Widodo to rally top military, political, and religious figures in a sign of unity amid fears of attempts to undermine the stability of his government. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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