Tunisian protesters bring something unusual to demonstration: books
A group of protesters in Tunisia, uneasy and unhappy about some of the reforms and restrictions that have been implemented by the new government. So, their protests have taken a new angle recently. They read books.
The revolutions that are now collectively known as the Arab Spring began in Tunisia.
It was the first country where unprecedented street protests led to the fall of a longtime ruler. President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali was toppled in January 2011.
See a photogallery of the protests at TheWorld.org.
The protests continued as Tunisia searched for a new way forward.
Ironically, the new leaders recently banned protests on one of the Tunisian capital’s most symbolic streets.
Merchants along Habib Bourguiba Avenue in Tunis had complained about too much business being lost because of all the demonstrations. Habib Bourguiba Avenue is a major street in Tunis and has long been a central location for protests. The Arab Spring protests were no different.
More protests followed the ban — some of which turned violent.
The ban was eventually lifted.
And Wednesday, a new demonstration of sorts was held on Habib Bourguiba Avenue.
People literally sat on the street reading books.
Ahmed Medien, a contributor to Global Voices, said the participants came from “all walks of life and different political ideologies.”
He said the books were abundant and in different genres and languages.
----------------------------------------------------------
"PRI's "The World" is a one-hour, weekday radio news magazine offering a mix of news, features, interviews, and music from around the globe. "The World" is a co-production of the BBC World Service, PRI and WGBH Boston. More about The World.
JOIN PRI COMMUNITIES:
Post your comment