West Papuans protest against racist comments

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PORT Moresby-based West Papuans burnt Indonesian flags after a rally organised by the National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop to protest the treatment of their people by Indonesian authorities.
The flag burning at the Jack Pidik Park on Saturday was to protest against reported racist comments against West Papuan students by Javanese people in Surabaya city on Saturday during Indonesia’s 74th independence celebrations.
About 1,000 protesters with placards led by Parkop walked from Hubert Murray Stadium to Jack Pidik Park on Saturday morning.
Parkop said the flag burning was not part of the rally’s activities.
“It happened when we were closing up. Some participants were angry and did it themselves,” he said.
“It represents the level of resentment for Indonesians due to the treatment of our fellow Melanesian West Papua people in Indonesia for 56 years.”
With the long weekend ending in Repentance Day yesterday, Parkop called on Papua New Guineans to repent for neglecting West Papuans since becoming independent in 1975.
“PNG must repent for forsaking our brothers and sisters on the other side,” he said.
“You must pray for them. But not just pray and repent quietly in your churches.
“But put it in actions as well. Come out on the streets. Tell the world and stand up for a worthy cause.
“Stand up for the love of God that he wants his people to be free,” Parkop said.
He said a larger march would be organised on Sept 7th before PNG’s 44th independence celebrations on Sept 16. “We will have to bring the city to a stop. How can we celebrate independence when our brothers and sisters in West Papua are living under bondage?
“How can PNG become a rich black Christian nation when we are turning our back on our own brothers and sisters?
“When we are not keepers of our brothers and sisters and we are not there for our neighbours?”

One thought on “West Papuans protest against racist comments

  • Yes that is true, our West Papuan brothers and sisters need our help and support not to start a war but to help to bring cease to the on going slaughtering of their families.

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