Times Activists Made Their Voices Heard in 2016

Muslims Protest Governor for Anti-Islam Remarks

An estimated 200,000 people protested in the capital of Jakarta on December 2, 2016, in what was one of the largest protests in the nation’s history. Muslims of Indonesia called for the Christian Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (or Ahok) to step down after he insulted Islam. Many believe he should be arrested.

Previous protests against Ahok turned violent, so police force stepped up security at the most recent rally, with thousands of police officers and soldiers on hand to keep the peace. During a rally on November 4th one person was killed and hundreds were injured has missiles were thrown at police, who responded with tear gas and water cannons.