I received this mail from Berlin based Singapore artist Heman Chong, originally transmitted by Lucy and Weng Choy of Substation, Singapore:
Dear all,
Kommunitas Utan Kayu in Jakarta, a "sister"
institution to The Substation has come under
attack from religious extremists.
Goenawan Mohamad and other artists from the
community have been camping out at the centre to
protect the building:
Please send your words of solidarity to
Community Utan Kayu, c/o Hasif Amini <[email protected]>
Lucy & Weng Choy
On Monday, 6 September 2005, following fresh
threats of violence from hardliners, the Utan
Kayu Community (KUK) released a press statement
read by its founder, Goenawan Mohamad. The
statement is as follows:
1. We, as workers in the fields of culture,
media, and education at Komunitas Utan Kayu,
declare that we will continue our efforts to
maintain and expand the freedom of thought and
freedom of expression guaranteed in the
Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia.
2. We reject all efforts to suppress differences in thought and
religion.
3. We believe that difference of opinion is
a God-given right. Further, that discussion and
difference of opinion play a vital part in the
democratization of our nation.
4. We will not accept any individual or
group that uses the name of God to justify
arbitrary threats and violence.
5. We will not allow harrassment and
despotism to prevail thus dragging Indonesia to a
state of lawlessness and anarchy.
6. We call upon the Indonesian security
apparatus to protect the rule of law as mandated
by the Constitution.
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