Beirut's "You Stink!" Garbage Protesters Dig In, Calling for Fall of Lebanese Regime
Beirut's "You Stink!" Garbage Protesters Dig In, Calling for Fall of Lebanese Regime
New clashes between anti-government demonstrators and Lebanese police left at least 20 people injured in the capital Beirut on Sunday, as protests — which started amid outrage over officials’ failure to collect garbage in Beirut — raged for a second day in an intensifying political crisis that the prime minister said could potentially see the government dissolved.
Footage from the scene showed ambulances ferrying out casualties after security forces fired tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons at demonstrators protesting against what they call Lebanon's overall political dysfunction.
Among the thousands of protesters about 200 youths, some wearing scarves or masks over their faces, threw stones and bottles filled with sand at police and tried to pull down security barricades. Some of those injured had suffered smoke inhalation and at least 13 were hospitalized, according to the Lebanese Red Cross.
Protesters had camped overnight in the capital's Riad al-Solh square to wait for Prime Minister Tammam Salam's response to police violence at protests the day before.
In a televised address on Sunday morning, Salam said members of the security forces would be held accountable for the violence against protesters. Salam also called on an emergency parliament session on Thursday to deal with the country's ongoing political crisis.
"I have been, like many other fellow Lebanese, patient enough, but yesterday's outcry should not be ignored," he said. "I was never in this for a position in government, I am one of you. I am with the people. Do not pit this conflict [as] one camp against the other. Target all the politicians."
Angered by Salam's speech, a number of the protesters chanted, "The people want the fall of the regime."
Tensions in Lebanon have peaked recently after protests against the government's inability to ensure that garbage is disposed of effectively. Last month the country was left with mounting piles of trash after politicians, divided by regional and local conflict, were unable to agree where to dump the capital's refuse.
The crisis was temporarily resolved when the garbage was finally cleared, but bickering within the government over which company to award the new contract has exposed it to allegations of corruption from opponents.
The prime minister said on Sunday that if legislators could not reach an agreement on the rubbish crisis on Thursday, there is a possibility the government will be dissolved.
"If the meeting is not productive, there is no need for the council of ministers all together," Salam said.
An online group named "You Stink!" along with other civil society groups organized this weekend's protests, calling on Lebanese people to join them in a revolt against what they called "a corrupt system."
Azza El Masri, a member of the "You Stink" campaign, told Al Jazeera that protesters are not backing down and that the demonstrations will continue.
"We want Tammam Salam and all the political class to resign. When people were chanting that they wanted to topple the regime yesterday, they were serious. We want to topple [the government], and we won't stop until we do," El Masri said.
"YouReek or YouStink [protesters] have vowed to stay at Riad al-Solh until the Minister of Environment resigns, until those who were randomly arrested are freed, and until the riot police are held accountable for the violence," El Masri added.
Joey Ayoub, who is one of the organizers of "You Stink" and was present during the protests on Saturday and Sunday, said protesters were met with police brutality, tear gas canisters and water cannons.
"As one of those who helped organize this protest, I can safely tell you that the government’s reaction was beyond anything we were expecting," Ayoub said.
The Lebanese Red Cross said at least 15 civilians were injured during the protests on Saturday in addition to 35 officers.
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