Trash protesters in Lebanese capital threaten to paralyze movement
People took to the streets of Beirut Saturday calling for urgent action over the trash crisis in the Lebanese capital, as warnings go high about a paralyzing nationwide strike in a few days.
Thousands gathered for another demonstration near the government headquarters, demanding a permanent solution to the eight-month trash pile-up.
Some wore black T-shirts with a slogan that read, “Government of trash.” They chanted, “We are fed up.” Demonstrators said they would step up the protest action by paralyzing the movement across Lebanon on Monday.
“On Monday, in two days, we are going to paralyze the movement in the country,” said a statement by the You Stink movement read out to the protesters in downtown Beirut.
“There are going to be several ways to do this. We call on everyone not to send their kids to school, not to go to university, and no one should go to work,” said Ali Slim, an organizer with the movement.
Public anger was pacified after officials cleared the streets of Beirut and pushed garbage to the periphery, where it piles up along the roadside and the banks of Beirut River. However, protests have continued with people demanding an action.
The demonstration came as the government was holding a meeting aimed at ending the crisis by opening new landfills. Protesters said they would not be satisfied with such solutions and demanded a robust recycling plan.
Some protesters said they will stay at the tents they set up in Beirut’s Riad al-Solh Square until the government provides a clear plan for the crisis.
“From now till Monday, we should preserve our presence here. If they hurt us, we are not going anywhere,” said a protester.
Environment activists have warned that people will not allow the opening of landfills in three areas proposed by the government. They said the government should provide the municipalities with enough funds and allow them to establish recycling plants.
The Lebanese cabinet promised after the Saturday meeting that it will go along with the plans to open up the landfills despite protests at the selected sites.
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