It was a very diverse crowd: teachers, government employees, students, young, old, men, women, conservative, liberal from all parts of Lebanon.
Even the hipster’s joined in:
This lady told the Prime Minister would be deposed today:
Toward downtown Beirut, the red-roof prime minister’s office loomed ahead:
“We drew these from our hearts, from the heart of the people,” the boy on the right told me, asking for a picture with his friend:
Many chanted against the political bosses, corruption and sectarianism:
Like a parade, protestors were gathered in smaller groups, representing their school, government office of employment, village organization, etc. They were often led by an impromptu leader with a bullhorn, chanting slogans that the crowd repeated.
This young man was leading a group of ministry workers when he paused to say: “I never felt a part of this country until today.” The crowd cheered.
Teachers came from schools across the country:
The marchers finally reached the Prime Ministry or Grand Serail, the massive Ottoman-era building that houses cabinet members offices and that of the Prime Minister, Najib Mikati.
Blocking the main road leading to the Serail for blocks:
The security forces looked on, sometimes cracking a smile at the protestors amusing chants:
A podium was set up with massive speakers near the Prime Minister’s balcony.
The leaders called for wage increases and mocked the endemic corruption among the ruling class including bankers and politicians.
“The Lebanese government should enter the Guinness Book for lies and thievery,” one said
The star of this movement has been Hanna Ghrarib, head of the Union Coordination Committee.
If demands for wage increases were not met, he promised more strikes across the whole country, in the public and private sector.
Some wonder if all this could be the beginning of a Lebanese spring. With clear sunny skies like yesterday, the weather could not have been better.
