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Journalists, students report police brutality during May Day protest
Over a thousand workers and students gathered outside the Central Java governor’s office on Thursday morning to mark Labor Day, demanding better welfare, stronger protection and the abolition of exploitative contracts and outsourcing.
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Police officers surround a protester on Aug. 22, 2024, during a demonstration against the revision of the Regional Elections Law, in front of the legislative complex in Central Jakarta. (Antara/Muhammad Adimaja)
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tudents taking part in the May Day protest in Semarang, Central Java, along with journalists reporting from the scene, have reported an excessive use of force by local police, which resulted in multiple injuries and dozens of arrests.
Over a thousand workers and students gathered outside the Central Java governor’s office on Thursday morning to mark Labor Day, demanding better welfare, stronger protection and the abolition of exploitative contracts and outsourcing.
However, the situation turned tense at around 5 p.m. when protesters tore down parts of the building’s fence and set it on fire.
According to the Semarang Legal Aid Institute (LBH Semarang), the police not only responded with tear gas and water cannon but also allegedly resorted to physical assaults against the demonstrators.
"Police chased the student protesters to the old campus of Diponegoro University in Pleburan, where they proceeded to surround the building for several hours," said Fajar Dhika of LBH Semarang, as reported by Kompas.com.
"In total, 24 students were arrested, and five others were hospitalized due to their injuries," he added.
As of Friday, 14 students remain in custody for questioning, and LBH Semarang is working to provide them with legal assistance.
