
Lebanese activists shout 'Revolution! Revolution!' as they are sprayed by riot police using water cannons Sunday evening in Beirut, Lebanon, Aug. 23, 2015.
'You Stink': Beirut Protesters Now Calling for Revolution
Thousands of protesters pour into Lebanese capital's streets demanding government's resignation.
Tens of thousands of anti-government protesters clashed with police in central Beirut on Sunday evening, just hours after Lebanese Prime Minister Tammam Salam hinted he might step down following violence triggered by the month-long 'You Stink' trash protests.
Gunfire was heard as government riot police opened fire in an apparent effort to drive protesters away from central Beirut government offices, witnesses said.
Chants of "Revolution! Revolution!" were ringing through the crowds as police attacked Sunday night.
Thousands of protesters had camped overnight Saturday in the capital's Riad al-Solh square, waiting for Prime Minister Tammam Salam's response to Saturday's police violence.
Al-Jazeera reports that in a televised address Sunday morning, Salam said members of the security forces will 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, the protesters chanted: "The people want the fall of the regime."
Al Jazeera's Jamal Elshayyal, reporting from Beirut, said the protests had drawn people across Lebanon's political divide.
"This is very much a grassroots movement that has come out onto the streets...there seems to be a very significant movement forming here in Beirut. "(The protests) were triggered by the trash crisis, but the people we've been speaking to say that this is the straw that broke the camel's back...they point to power shortages, water shortages, inherent corruption within the state."
An Urgent Message From Our Co-Founder
Dear Common Dreams reader, The U.S. is on a fast track to authoritarianism like nothing I've ever seen. Meanwhile, corporate news outlets are utterly capitulating to Trump, twisting their coverage to avoid drawing his ire while lining up to stuff cash in his pockets. That's why I believe that Common Dreams is doing the best and most consequential reporting that we've ever done. Our small but mighty team is a progressive reporting powerhouse, covering the news every day that the corporate media never will. Our mission has always been simple: To inform. To inspire. And to ignite change for the common good. Now here's the key piece that I want all our readers to understand: None of this would be possible without your financial support. That's not just some fundraising cliche. It's the absolute and literal truth. We don't accept corporate advertising and never will. We don't have a paywall because we don't think people should be blocked from critical news based on their ability to pay. Everything we do is funded by the donations of readers like you. The final deadline for our crucial Summer Campaign fundraising drive is just days away, and we’re falling short of our must-hit goal. Will you donate now to help power the nonprofit, independent reporting of Common Dreams? Thank you for being a vital member of our community. Together, we can keep independent journalism alive when it’s needed most. - Craig Brown, Co-founder |
Tens of thousands of anti-government protesters clashed with police in central Beirut on Sunday evening, just hours after Lebanese Prime Minister Tammam Salam hinted he might step down following violence triggered by the month-long 'You Stink' trash protests.
Gunfire was heard as government riot police opened fire in an apparent effort to drive protesters away from central Beirut government offices, witnesses said.
Chants of "Revolution! Revolution!" were ringing through the crowds as police attacked Sunday night.
Thousands of protesters had camped overnight Saturday in the capital's Riad al-Solh square, waiting for Prime Minister Tammam Salam's response to Saturday's police violence.
Al-Jazeera reports that in a televised address Sunday morning, Salam said members of the security forces will 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, the protesters chanted: "The people want the fall of the regime."
Al Jazeera's Jamal Elshayyal, reporting from Beirut, said the protests had drawn people across Lebanon's political divide.
"This is very much a grassroots movement that has come out onto the streets...there seems to be a very significant movement forming here in Beirut. "(The protests) were triggered by the trash crisis, but the people we've been speaking to say that this is the straw that broke the camel's back...they point to power shortages, water shortages, inherent corruption within the state."
Tens of thousands of anti-government protesters clashed with police in central Beirut on Sunday evening, just hours after Lebanese Prime Minister Tammam Salam hinted he might step down following violence triggered by the month-long 'You Stink' trash protests.
Gunfire was heard as government riot police opened fire in an apparent effort to drive protesters away from central Beirut government offices, witnesses said.
Chants of "Revolution! Revolution!" were ringing through the crowds as police attacked Sunday night.
Thousands of protesters had camped overnight Saturday in the capital's Riad al-Solh square, waiting for Prime Minister Tammam Salam's response to Saturday's police violence.
Al-Jazeera reports that in a televised address Sunday morning, Salam said members of the security forces will 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, the protesters chanted: "The people want the fall of the regime."
Al Jazeera's Jamal Elshayyal, reporting from Beirut, said the protests had drawn people across Lebanon's political divide.
"This is very much a grassroots movement that has come out onto the streets...there seems to be a very significant movement forming here in Beirut. "(The protests) were triggered by the trash crisis, but the people we've been speaking to say that this is the straw that broke the camel's back...they point to power shortages, water shortages, inherent corruption within the state."