Politics · Indonesia · 9 hrs ago
Surabaya academics condemn police force against protesters in Yogyakarta
A Surabaya coalition condemned police force against protesters, especially in Yogyakarta, after demonstrations on November 10.
The group includes academics and students who say police arrested hundreds of student protesters; one student leader cited 154 people detained in Yogyakarta.
Academics said the response threatens democratic freedoms and warned that force against critical voices could set a precedent for other campuses.
They said students have the right to remain on campus at night to study and discuss ideas.
The coalition also raised concern about arrests in Surabaya, where two civilians were detained during a protest on the same day.
Student leaders fear similar actions could spread to Surabaya and urged people there to learn from what happened in Yogyakarta.
The group held its protest at Airlangga University on November 13, but no further action was specified.
The Gerakan Warga Sadar Surabaya coalition condemned police violence during demonstrations, particularly in Yogyakarta.
Academics in Surabaya said the force used against protesters and the arrests of students threatened democratic freedoms.
They criticized police for questioning students who remained on campus at night and for entering the area of Universitas Gadjah Mada.
The academics spoke in Surabaya on 13 November, three days after demonstrations and arrests on 10 November.
A student representative said 154 people had been detained in Yogyakarta and warned similar events could occur in Surabaya.
- Who
- The Gerakan Warga Sadar Surabaya coalition and academics from universities in Surabaya condemned the police response.
- What
- They criticized police violence and the arrests of protesters in Yogyakarta, including students.
- When
- The demonstrations took place on 10 November 2026. The academics spoke on 13 November.
- Where
- The demonstrations and arrests discussed took place in Yogyakarta; the academics spoke in Surabaya.
- Why
- They said the response threatened democracy and could set a precedent for action against critical voices and campuses.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Demonstrations took place in Yogyakarta, where hundreds of student protesters were arrested, according to the article.
Two civilians were arrested during a demonstration at the Air Mancur roundabout in Surabaya, Daniel Situmorang said.
The Gerakan Warga Sadar Surabaya coalition and academics condemned the police response at a gathering in Surabaya.
- Yogyakarta demonstrations
- 10 November 2026
- Detentions in Yogyakarta
- 154 people, according to Daniel Situmorang
- Surabaya arrests
- Two civilians arrested, according to Daniel Situmorang
- Statement location
- Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya
- Statement date
- 13 November 2026
What people are saying
There is no other way but to warn those in power today to stop, to stop using violence, especially against the academic community and particularly campuses as a space for democracy and at the same time its last bastion.
We are very concerned about this, because it could become a precedent and could happen on any campus.
So we think what happened in Jogja could also happen in Surabaya; it is not impossible.