Some reactions to the current Indonesian protests:
- As far as the underlying issue goes, that of legislative pay, the protesters are in the wrong there, as legislators do actually deserve to be compensated for the extra expenses associated with the position
- That being said, the rights we consider "First Amendment rights" here in the US (speech, assembly, petitioning the government for redress of grievances) are fundamental and should be protected. The protesters have a right to protest even if they are wrong about legislative pay.
- Furthermore, police response to the protests has been disproportionately violent and fascistic. The death of a protester struck by a police vehicle shows the danger of both car culture and police militarization. Further protests on these two topics are necessary, and I stand in solidarity with any protesters speaking out against police brutality and vehicle deadliness.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/August_2025_Indonesian_protests