Collective Action

In one of the most memorable scenes of the mass anti-establishment demonstrations so far, a group of Lebanese actors Tuesday stormed the headquarters of the state-run Tele Liban to oppose its lack of protest coverage. The sixth day of protests got off to a slow start following a display of aggression by supporters of Hezbollah and the Amal Movement the night before. However, as the day wore on, tens of thousands gathered in Beirut’s Riad al-Solh and Martyrs’ squares and in countless towns and cities across the country.

Tele Liban, which falls under the Information Ministry, had paid minimal attention to the huge mobilization of people across the country who have called for the resignation of the government and Parliament.

In protest, a dozen Lebanese actors forced their way into the TV station’s West Beirut headquarters Tuesday morning.

“This station belongs to the millions that went down to protest,” actor Badih Abou Chakra said.

One of Tele Liban’s employees came down to speak with the artists and told them that “as journalists, we have to cover what’s happening in this country,” adding that she had contacted Minister Jamal Jarrah to speak to him about the channel’s coverage. Her comments evoked applause among the artists.

After about 15 minutes, the actors left the building and sang the Lebanese national anthem on the steps outside, waving Lebanese flags.