By Vaarunika Dharamapala.
PERTH — A cross-campus week of solidarity with Indonesia will be held here between October 21-27. The event was initiated by Resistance and is supported by Action in Solidarity with Indonesia and East Timor.
After the mass demonstrations against the Suharto dictatorship in Jakarta in July, many arrests and restrictions on political freedom have occurred. Activists like Budiman Sujatmiko from the People's Democratic Party (PRD), Dita Sari from the Indonesian Centre for Labour Struggles and trade union leader Muchtar Pakpahan may be facing subversion charges and the death penalty. The week of solidarity aims to increase public awareness about these issues and collect funds for the Indonesian activists' legal defence and the "Free the political prisoners" campaign.
Along with daily information stalls and speak-outs, the highlights of the week will be lunchtime public meetings with the PRD's international representative, Nico Warouw: at Murdoch on October 21, Curtin on October 22 and UWA on October 23. A symbolic hunger strike will also be held in the city on October 24-25 to publicise the October 28 international day of solidarity.
For more information contact Resistance on 227 7367 or ASIET on 328 1647.