An estimated 100,000 people are waiting by their vehicles to be let in to Banda Aceh. In the city of Jeunib, more than 600 buses, trucks and cars line each side of the road behind a police blockade. Up to 5,000 people from Sigli and nearby areas have landed by boat in the areas surrounding Banda Aceh. More have sneaked in through back roads or by foot. Those not staying with family or friends have dispersed throughout the outlying city areas, camped out in mosques, sports stadiums and university buildings.
Food supplies are short and space is cramped, but spirits are unwavering.
We won't go back to our villages because we have come here to ask for justice and for Aceh to be free,'' declared Zainal Abidin of Lawung, Pidie district. But the security forces consider SIRA to be a front for the GAM, and an arrest warrant was issued yesterday for Mohammed Nazar, SIRA's co-leader, on charges of inciting public disorder. Both Nazar and Darmansyah have received death threats and two other SIRA members were recently detained by the police and beaten. Nazar is moving around the city and so far has managed to evade arrest. While preparing for the demonstration, SIRA angered the authorities by launching an informal poll asking Acehnese to choose between independence and continued integration with Indonesia.