A few months ago, I finished reading a novel entitled "Laut Bercerita" (The Sea Tells Stories) by Leila S. Chudori. This novel tells the story of family's life and their struggles in facing the change of time and politics in Indonesia, set against the backdrop of New Order. It takes readers on along journey through history and family's experience in facing challenges. Biru Laut, the main character has been taken away by the ruling regime due to his bravery in voicing change.

From this novel, I discovered the existence of "Aksi Kamisan"-"Kamis" in English is Thursday. Thursday action is a peaceful demonstration held every week starting from January 18th 2007 in front of the Presidential Palace in Jakarta. The participants, mostly victims and families of human rights abuses cases, gather wearing black clothes to demand resolution of serious human right cases and refuse to forget.

One of the quotes that stuck in my head from the novel is " On the day of my death, friend, make sure my voice reaches the sea, make sure my soul becomes part of the fire, make sure my spirit animates this poem, and let my words blows the spirit of resistance".