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May Day to draw 65,000 demonstrators to Jakarta's streets
Jakarta Globe - April 24, 2012
Jakarta Police expect as many as 65,000 laborers and union members to stage rallies and marches in the capital next Tuesday in celebration of May Day, an international celebration of workers' rights, a police official said on Tuesday.
"We estimate that about 65,000 workers will go down the streets in Jakarta," Jakarta Police operational bureau head Sr. Comr. Agung Budi said.
City police and administration met on Tuesday to discuss preparations for the holiday. More than 16,000 police officer and soldiers with the Indonesian Military (TNI) will be stationed at "vital" points – like the House of Representatives complex and the Presidential Palace – throughout the city, Agung said.
Police are also working with labor unions to determine where, and when, they plan to hold May Day rallies.
Most workers will likely meet at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle and march to the Presidential Palace in Central Jakarta. Many will then head toward Bung Karno Stadium to watch performances by Indonesian rock and dangdut bands, Agung said.
"There will be some performances by Rhoma Irama and Slank there [at Bung Karno Stadium]. We'll [take] some anticipative measures because traffic will be surely congested," he said, referring to a veteran dangdut artist and a famous Indonesian band.
"We'll announce traffic diversion later on. But at least now the public know about this and they can prepare to take alternative routes," he told the Indonesian news portal detik.com. City administration is also planning concerts and bazaars for industrial zones in North, West and East Jakarta, secretary Fadjar Pandjaitan said.
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