* Find my original Facebook post here.
* Photo by Sara El-Yafi, taken in Beirut Martyrs’ Square on 29/Aug/15 

To those of you, Lebanese friends, who are reluctant to join us: if you aren’t going to the demonstration because you believe “the revolution will be hijacked”, or because you “don’t see clear demands”, let me remind you where you live.

*In your country, after a 15-year civil war, warlords and militiamen got “eternal” parliament seats. Why? You don’t know why.

*In your country, you get electricity 3 or 6 or 12 hours a day depending on your area, yet you are not at war. Why? You don’t know why.

*In your country, the water coming from the tap is technically soiled. In many areas, it contains sewage elements. Why? You don’t know why.

*In your country, when it rains, you know there will be automatic sewage flooding, no matter the rain. Why? You don’t know why.

*In your country, the garbage is piling up in front of your homes yet the state has officially declared a “state of emergency” in the 90s, but it hasn’t been resolved. Why? You don’t know why.

*In your country, the right of ownership of whole industries is reserved to the politicians and their own connections. Why? You don’t know why.

*In your country, the warlords get bribed every couple of years, in broad daylight, in front of your eyes, to GIVE LEEWAY to each other’s “TURN” to be in power. Why? You don’t know why.

*In your country, women get killed at the hands of abusive men in their families, mostly with impunity, as the sheikhs and priests ask the women to “tape themselves getting beaten for proof,” and the government does not address “women’s rights” and we still believe family matters must remain “religious.” Why? You don’t know why.

*In your country, women cannot pass off the Lebanese citizenship to their own children. Why? You don’t know why.

*In your country, a legal compensation of 1/4 BILLION U.S. DOLLARS was swiftly awarded to politician Nicolas Fattouch after he sued the government for stopping his environmental massacre of emptying our mountains of its natural rock (kassarat) for his financial benefit, but people like us, who had their private lands stolen by the government, wait years before they receive any compensation, if any. Why? You don’t know why.

To quote my friend, Rayan Habre:
“نازل اليوم لأنو مش منطق يمرق 6 مونديال و يتغير البابا ب روما 3 مرات…
… و نبيه بري بعدو رئيس مجلس نواب”

Join us. You have nothing to lose, and absolutely everything to gain.

‫#‏طلعت_ريحتكم‬

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