Youthlab has produced research-based articles on the topic of cancel culture. The first article provides an overview of the context of cancel culture in Indonesia, which you can read [here]. The second article examines cancel culture from an international perspective, comparing the phenomenon across various countries; you can read it [here]. Youthlab now aims to delve deeper into the subject by discussing a case study on the cancel culture phenomenon with the most offline crowd engagement in Indonesia: the 212 Movement.
Youthlab now aims to delve deeper into the subject by discussing a case study on the cancel culture phenomenon with the most offline crowd engagement in Indonesia: the 212 Movement.
WHAT IS 212 MOVEMENT?
The 212 Movement emerged as a protest against the former Governor of Jakarta, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok), in 2016. Ahok was accused of blasphemy against Islam. A video spread widely on social media showing Ahok delivering a speech during his campaign for the 2017 Jakarta gubernatorial election. In the video, Ahok remarked that the people of Jakarta had been misled by a verse from the Quran, which advises against electing a non-Muslim leader. Ahok himself is a Protestant.
The video is widely available on the internet, including platforms like YouTube. By searching for the keywords “Video Ahok penistaan agama (Ahok blasphemy video)”, you can easily find it. The video quickly went viral, generating a significant response from the Indonesian public.
Several religious figures initiated street demonstrations to demand Ahok’s arrest. These protests, named ‘Aksi Bela Islam’ (Defend Islam Action), occurred several times and were organized in phases referred to as ‘jilid.’ The first demonstration took place on October 14, 2016, with protestors gathering in front of the Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim) building and Jakarta City Hall.
The second phase occurred on November 4, 2016, with a larger crowd protesting in front of the Presidential Palace (Istana Merdeka), concentrating on Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat. The peak of this movement was ‘Aksi Bela Islam Jilid 3,’ held on December 2, 2016. This date, 2/12, led to the name ‘Gerakan 212’ (212 Movement). It became the largest protest, with an estimated attendance of up to 772,976 people.