The streets of Barbir overflowed with thousands of protestors today, demanding higher wages and an end to corruption in government. 

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:

One woman threw rice on the protestors from her balcony:
Migrant workers cheered as well: 
The crowd made its way past Burj Abi Haidar, Basta….

Toward downtown Beirut, the red-roof prime minister’s office loomed ahead:

Many bore hand-painted signs, borrowing symbols from other revolutions.

“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.

Following several speeches, the rally began to dissipate in the early afternoon. More protests would be held tomorrow, organizers said. 
Gharib stayed around to take pictures with supporters:
Once the crowd had thinned, I could make out faded party flags from previous downtown rallies:

I didn’t see any of these among the thousands of protestors during the march. 
To the right I could also see the security forces had tightly been guarding Bank Street, home to many of Lebanon’s financial institutions. 
For some perspective on the crowd size, here are some pictures of the packed Barbir streets featured at the top of this post, before the crowds arrived: 

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.

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