Thousands of Lebanese Demonstrate against ‘Corrupt’ Politicians, Issue Ultimatum
Agence France Presse/Associated Press/Naharnet /August 29/15/Thousands of anti-government protesters marched on Saturday from the interior ministry in the capital’s Hamra thoroughfare to downtown Beirut’s Martyrs Square in an anti-government protest organized by civil society, which is frustrated with the political class. “You Stink,” which started as an online movement, is the main activist group behind the protest.A “You Stink” member said in a speech at the protest that its battle will continue until the resignation of Environment Minister Mohammed al-Mashnouq and the election of a president. It gave the government 72 hours to meet its demands, warning that after the deadline expires it will take escalatory measures not just in Beirut.
The movement’s campaign started over the fetid piles of trash mounting in the streets of Beirut and Mount Lebanon after the government closed last month the country’s main landfill in Naameh, but it has mushroomed into a movement against the entire political structure. It sees the political class as corrupt and incapable of providing basic services to citizens.
Many of the protesters waved Lebanese flags and wore white T-shirts that read “You Stink.” They chanted anti-government slogans, urging politicians to leave their posts. In the absence of political party flags which normally dominate such events in Lebanon, the crowd carried banners mocking politicians. “Ali Baba and the 128 thieves,” read one, in reference to Speaker Nabih Berri and the 128-member parliament. “Sometimes doing nothing is the most violent thing to do,” read another. One protester held a placard saying “Politicians are like sperm, one in a million turns out to be human being.” Reflecting concern over renewed clashes, “You Stink” said it deployed 500 volunteers to coordinate with security forces and prevent violence.
The Lebanese army and police also ran a joint operations room to guarantee the well-being of protesters. The military deployed troops around Martyrs Square while policemen were present inside the square. The protest came as the London-based rights group Amnesty International called on Lebanese authorities to investigate allegations that security forces have used excessive force to disperse two rallies held last weekend. The rallies outside the Grand Serail drew up to 20,000 people. Security forces fired live rounds, used rubber bullets and hurled stones or beat protesters, leaving scores hospitalized.Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq acknowledged there were “mistakes” that led to the excessive use of force and said an investigation, whose results will be released next week, was under way.
Lebanese people rally for reform
YouStink has issued a 72-hour deadline for the government to meet its demands.
BEIRUT – Now Lebanon/29.08.15
Tens of thousands of Lebanese gathered at Beirut’s Martyrs Square for a mass rally during which the the #YouStink activist group announced the government had 72-hours to meet its demands.
The grassroots group, along with other newly formed activist organizations, had called on citizens to demonstrate peacefuly in the iconic square in the heart of Lebanon’s capital in a protest against the government’s mishandling of a worsening trash crisis. The populist movement, which started weeks ago when trash began building up on the streets of Beirut and Mount Lebanon, have taken on broader demands, with common people and a myriad of newly formed activists protesting corruption, poor infrastructure, and Lebanon’s political parties.
YouStink on Saturday specifically demanded Environment Minister Mohammad Machnouk step down as well as the government tackle corruption, establish an eco-friendly waste management plan and hold accountable those responsible for suppressing last Saturday’s peaceful protest with tear gas and rubber bullets. The movement further warned it would take escalatory steps if their demands were not met by Tuesday afternoon.
Later in the evening, Lebanon’s Environment Minister rejected calls for his resignation and said he would not “abandon his duties.”
A festive atmosphere reigned over Martyrs Square in the late afternoon, with protesters from all over Lebanon chanting against the government while holding aloft Lebanese flags and cleverly worder banners poking fun at Lebanon’s politicians and cabinet.
Meanwhile, earlier in the day as well as on Friday Lebanese expatriates held protests outside their country’s embassies in foreign capitals in solidarity with the #YouStink movement.
Security breaks up Riad al-Solh protest
As night fell and the main rally dispersed, thousands of people moved to the nearby Riad al-Solh Square, the site of previous clashes between youths and security forces. A number of agitators on Saturday night breached the first layer of the seperation fences blocking the square from the premier’s official Grand Serail residence, sparking the Internal Security Forces to call on peaceful demonstrators to disperse so they could tackle the troublemakers. YouStink organizers called on protesters to leave as well, but a number remained behind until riot police stormed the square, arresting a number of people while putting an end to the vandalism in the seperation barrier and any attempt to encorach on the Grand Serail. A security source told NOW that the ISF arrested 10 people.
Timeline of today’s events
[23:00] Security forces have arrested 10 people so far, a security source told NOW.
[22:50] Environment Minister Mohammad Machnouk rejects calls for his resignation, saying he won’t “abandon his duties.”
[22:45] Security forces are deployed in heavy numbers in Riad al-Solh Square, blocking off Banks Street, the seperation barrier, and the alley from the square alongside the ESCWA headquarters. [22:40] One protester told NOW’s correspondent that a riot policeman hit him with a baton as security forces deployed into Riad al-Solh Square, while his girlfriend was shoved to the ground. He added that riot police had followed a number of protesters to outside the Mohammad al-Amin Grand Mosque, where some demonstrators had been accused of rioting and hit.
[22:35] Riot police have deployed at the entrance of Banks Street leading from Riad al-Solh, while security forces are conducting arrests. Most protesters have fled from the scene.
[22:30] Lebanese security forces have rushed into Riad al-Solh Square to disperse the rioters in the seperation zone between the square and the
[22:10] The ISF has called on the protesters to disperse after the second seperation fence at Riad al-Solh Square was set on fire by young men. They have warned that they want to deal with the situation in the appropriate manner.
[22:00] The large crowd at Riad al-Solh Square has thinned out as the night has gone on.
[21:55] A group of young men in the barbed-wire seperation zone continue their attempts to breach through the barriers. The ISF had earlier issued a statement calling on citizens to not cross the fences.
Meanwhile, demonstrators in Riad al-Solh Square continue to protest peacefully.
A Lebanese flag on the barbed wire fence at Riad al-Solh Square. (AFP)
[21:30] The large crowd has remained at Riad al-Solh Square, despite the efforts by organizers to get them to leave.
[21:20] #YouStink organizers have withdrawn from Riad al-Solh Square. NOW’s correspondent reports, adding that they are working to get the crowd to leave.
[21:12] A fire briefly erupted again along the first seperation barrier between Riad al-Solh and the Grand Serail. Meanwhile a group of youths that breached the wire are continuing to linger in the seperation zone.
[21:05] YouStink organizers are announcing that “those not gathered for a peaceful protest” are not welcome, NOW’s correspondent reports.
[21:00] Riot police have gathered in large numbers near the Ferrari dealership at the eastern edge of Beirut’s Martyrs Square.
[20:55] A number of protesters have breached the first layer of barbed wire at Riad al-Solh Square and are throwing objects in the direction of the Grand Serail.
[20:35] A peaceful atmosphere has settled over Riad al-Solh Square after the arrival of thousands from Martyrs Square. A number of protesters are dancing to drum beats amid chants.
[20:00] The crowd at Riad al-Solh Square is growing, with a rowdy atmosphere among the crowd as some protesters throw fireworks at security forces standing guard outside the premier’s official Grand Serail residence.
[19:40] The crowd in Martyrs Square has been clearing out as the main rally winds down with night settling over the capital.
However, a number of protesters remain at Riad al-Solh Square, where NOW’s correspondents report that angry youths, who have been labeled as infiltrators in past demonstrations, are present.
[19:30] Several blasts from sound bombs have echoed through Riad al-Solh Square, the scene of previous clashes between security forces and agitators, NOW’s correspondent at the scene reported.
A number of protesters have been gathering at the location.
[19:25] YouStink has given a 72-hour ultimatum for its demands to met. The movement has called for the resignation of Environment Minister It also demanded that the government establish an eco-friendly waste management plan and hold accountable those responsible for suppressing last Saturday’s peaceful protest with tear gas and rubber bullets.
The group further warned it would take escalatory measures across Lebanon on Tuesday afternoon if its demands were not met.
[19:10] The We Want Accountability group formed after last Saturday’s demonstration is present in the southeast corner of Martyrs Square, where its members are chanting Syrian revolution slogans.
YouStink, meanwhile, has congregated in the northeast quadrant of [18:40] Protesters have been chanting “Revolution, Revolution” and “Down with the government of rascals.”
[18:25] Lebanon has been suffering Saturday from rolling brownouts after the electrical grid went offline at 10:25.
Electricite du Liban announced earlier it was restoring service.
[17:58] Protesters from all across Lebanon are descending to Downtown Beirut. One group of dozens of Akkar residents is marching in unison toward the rally.
[17:50] Red Cross is mobilized in areas around Martyrs Square in the event of any repeat of the chaos that engulfed previous protests.
[17:35] Demonstrators gathering in Downtown Beirut.
[17:30] There is a festive atmosphere in Martyrs Square, where thousands had begun to gather earler in the day. Security forces are deployed in the area, after Lebanon’s army the day before vowed to protect the rally.
[17:25] A crowd of about 1,000 people is marching from Gemmayze toward the nearby Martyrs Square.
[17:10] YouStink activists are marching from outside the Interior Ministry in Sanayeh toward Downtown Beirut. Their chants can be heard echoing in nearby streets.
