* 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.
I am sitting here watching the demonstation live on my TV in Dubai…but every inch of me is itching to be with you in Beirut!!! Bravo for everyone who is participating….great initiative, hopefully we will succeed
#youstink
Bravo! Here are the exam results course by course of our political class: Electricity – F. Water – F. Economy – F. Politics – F. Job creation – F. Debt reduction – F. Emigration – F. Self enrichment – A+++.
This has been circulating all over social media, because it is so, so well-said!!
Essential reading for all Lebanese in Lebanon and abroad.
Time for change.
Very, very, very well said!!!
Well said, and about time too! It is so unbelievably wrong the way the country has gone, that I have great difficulty explaining to people what the root of the people’s complaint is all about. I end up saying I don’t really know where to start!
Well said! Good luck!
Good luck Sarah.
Two thumbs up!!
I saw this post circulating on Facebook with 500+ likes and shares. Brilliant Sara!
Best of luck
اكتبي بالعربي للجميع يقراء ويفهم
Applause x 3! ممتاز بس كتبي بالعربي
YES!! Applause!!!
Very well written Sara!! So true and yet so sad!! Lebanon is being left behind compared to so many other countries because of this.. Fight for what you believe in!!
Who cares about the possibility for the demonstrations to get hijacked, when you already have the certainty that your whole country got hijacked?
While we enjoy freedom of faith, speech, to come and go, clean water, electricity as we please, the people of Lebanon are not so lucky… Join me in sharing this post, from a friend who is fighting peacefully for justice
Forwarding this.
I wish I can Sara. My heart is with you
Ur great Sara hoping for a large turnout
H. S.
kelna nezlin sara !!!