Jakarta. More than 100 supporters of Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama and Deputy Governor Djarot Saiful Hidayat gathered at City Hall on Monday (01/05) evening, in response to the rally that same day where protesters burned several flower boards that honored the incumbents. 

They marched along Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan in Central Jakarta with lit candles and some wore checkered shirts in tribute to the duo's signature campaign attire. 

Flower boards filled City Hall after quick count results indicated a surprise loss for Ahok in the Jakarta election runoff last month.

The incident caused an intense atmosphere at City Hall, where many local and foreign tourists had come to see the popular flower boards, which became a hit on social media.

The action was in response to the May Day rally where protesters led by an unidentified rally leader, dragged the flower boards off the sidewalk and stacked them in a pile in the middle of the street and set the flower boards on fire. They poured gasoline on the flower board pyre and burned it.

Anna, one of the residents who joined the march, said it was planned at the last minute.

"This was completely spontaneous. When social media was filled with news over the burning of the flower boards, volunteers were invited to gather at 7 p.m. [on Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan]. The news spread fast," she said.

Another attendee, Rusli, said the burning of the flower boards was unnecessary.

"[If people aren't happy with the election results] they should reach out to one another. Why should it be like this, which should they burn things? This is our way of opposing the [May Day] rally," Rusli said.

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