[ad_1]
On Saturday, the squares of Beirut restored the atmosphere of the popular movement on the first anniversary of the October 17 uprising, with a modest attendance of the public that exceeded the expectations of the symbols of the popular movement who expected a slight participation due to the crisis of the Crown.
The protesters headed to Beirut from the north, south and Bekaa, raising the demands they had raised a year ago and wandering the streets of the capital, chanting against authority.
From early morning, the protesters went to the Martyrs Square in the center of the capital, and then they proceeded with a march that went through the neighborhoods and stopped at several stations, including the Parliament and the municipality of Beirut, reaching the port, where the protesters held a minute’s silence on the souls of the victims of the explosion, and the torch of October 17 was lit exactly at 6-7 minutes. The moment of the port explosion, on August 4.
In a symbolic move, the protesters changed the name of the Fouad Shehab Bridge to the October 17 Bridge, putting up a sign indicating the new name. This bridge, known as the Ring Bridge, was an important gathering point for protesters during the uprising, as they repeatedly closed it as a vital step.
A car traveled from different Lebanese regions to the different neighborhoods of Beirut, raising the Lebanese flag.
Despite the centralization of the action, several areas, including the city of Sidon, witnessed central celebrations, where protesters gathered, waving banners and slogans demanding their rights.
In addition, several protesters fell to the ground in Sidon Square, partially blocking the road. Activists from the Sidon movement also staged protests in the city, chanting slogans denouncing the economic and financial policies “that led the country to collapse and impoverished the citizens.”
And the President of the Republic, Michel Aoun, had affirmed that his hand and “a year after the start of the popular movements are still reaching out to work together to achieve the demands for reform”, adding in a tweet on his Twitter account: “There is no reform possible outside the institutions” and “It is not too late.” ».
[ad_2]
