BEM ULM Holds a Symbolic Action and Pilgrimage to Remember the Banjarmasin Gray Friday Tragedy.

BANJARMASIN – The Student Executive Board of Lambung Mangkurat University (BEM ULM) held a symbolic action to commemorate 26 years of the Gray Friday tragedy in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan (Kalsel). Their action took place in front of gate II of ULM, Kayutangi area, Jalan Brigjen H Hasan Basri, Banjarmasin. Starting around 16.45 WITA, they wore black clothes.

Some of them carried posters demanding clarification regarding the deaths that occurred during the Gray Friday tragedy. “This is a symbolic action,” said the Head of BEM ULM, Ahmad Nurhadi, at the location of the action, Tuesday (23/5/2023). There are two points of demand that they convey. First, regarding the condition of the mass graves of the Gray Friday tragedy, the government must pay attention. Second, asking the government to thoroughly investigate this tragedy to find a bright spot. Through this action, they hope that this will not happen again and this bloody tragedy will be remembered forever.

Meanwhile, during the Black Friday incident, hundreds of people became victims. Several people were reported missing. During the incident 26 years ago, many buildings and public facilities were damaged and burned.

Meanwhile nine students made a pilgrimage to the Gray Friday Mass Cemetery at the Ulin Platform, Liang Anggang District, Banjarbaru City, South Kalimantan (South Kalimantan). The pilgrimage of students who are members of BEM ULM is exactly 25 years after the May 23, 1997 riot in Banjarmasin. They carried out a flower-laying procession and at the same time prayed for the souls of the hundreds of victims who died in this dark event.

In addition, the Head of the ULM BEM Movement Department, Syamsu Rizal said the activity was aimed at caring for memory. This is because, according to him, there are currently many students who have forgotten the events of Gray Friday. “Maybe this is also an event to treat the wounds of the victims’ families,” he said.

Apart from the pilgrimage, Syamsu said that his party also held a symbolic action of lighting candles as well as a free speech at the gate of the Banjarmasin ULM campus, Tuesday evening. Syamsu hopes that the Gray Friday riots can be a reflection for all residents. He said not to let something like this happen again. “Even though it has been 25 years, this dark event must not fade from memory,” he said.