By Jon Land
Starting on October 10, a new wave of pro-independence protests took place across East Timor. The largest mobilisations occurred in Dili, which was brought to a standstill for two days by huge demonstrations.
Estimates of the number of people protesting range from 15,000 to more than 25,000. The Portuguese news service Lusa quoted resistance sources as saying that up to 60,000 people were involved at the peak of the mobilisations on October 12.
Protests were also held in other towns, such as Baucau, East Timor's second largest centre.
The actions were staged in response to the provocative call by Abilio Soares, the governor of East Timor, for all public servants who support a referendum on independence to resign — or face the sack.
The threat came amidst reports from the armed resistance that large Indonesian military operations, which had begun a week earlier in the central and eastern parts of East Timor, were intensifying. The military were attempting to encircle Falintil strongholds and capture or kill resistance leader Taur Matan Ruak.
Public servants make up most of the membership of a newly formed pro-referendum organisation called Forsarepetil. Forsarepetil is one of many organisations which have been able to form openly in recent months, due to the success of the resistance movement — particularly student activists — in forcing a greater degree of democratic space.
Students have played a leading role in organising "dialogues" and mass protests such as those that occurred in June. The Solidarity Movement for Public Servants in East Timor has formed to support the public servants.
Three days of demonstrations were organised to show support for the workers under threat from Soares, and to demand the release of all political prisoners, a reduction of troop numbers and a referendum on independence. On October 10, a stay-at-home strike action by public servants and other workers left offices and businesses closed and the streets of Dili deserted.
Student and youth activists patrolled the streets for security reasons and to politely ask people who were out and about to join the protest by returning home.
Fears that there would be violent clashes were proved unfounded. The only incident of note occurred at Becora prison, where the 203 inmates stormed the main gate when visitors were leaving. Sixteen prisoners managed to escape before the police arrived.
The following day, at least 15,000 people protested outside the governor's office. The area surrounding the office grounds was blocked off by soldiers and police, forcing cars, trucks, bicycles and people on foot to wind through the suburbs of Dili.
Protesters shouted "Viva Xanana", "Viva Referendum", "Viva Taur Matan Ruak", "Viva CNRT" [National Council of Timorese Resistance] and "Viva Timor Leste". People lined the streets holding their fingers in the V for Victory sign, shouting "Viva, viva" in response.
The next day, October 12, an even larger motorcade protest took place. Thousands of protesters flooded into Dili from other areas (notably Liquica, Aileu, Ermera and Manatuto) early in the morning to join the tens of thousands already in the streets.
Public servants continued there strike, with the exception of those involved in essential services such as hospitals, electricity supply or telecommunications. The determined protesters followed the same path as the previous day.
Many vowed they would return to the streets in larger numbers if their demands were not met soon. The three-hour protest ended without incident, though a confrontation almost occurred outside Becora prison, where a police blockade had been set up.