Collective Action

Banks and Touch under pressure on 75th day of protests

Protesters targeted financial institutions across Lebanon Monday, marking the 75th day of nationwide anti-state protests. In one incident, protesters held a sit-in at the Sofil branch of Bank Audi in Beirut, chanting against banking policies. According to the Associated Press, protesters forced the tellers to cash a $ 5,000 check for one protester and two others were able to withdraw $1,000 and $2,000.

Pictures of protesters holding dollar bills were widely circulated on social media afterward.

Meanwhile, a group gathered in front of the Central Bank in Beirut’s Hamra district Monday afternoon, protesting against national financial policies and practices adopted by banks. They later marched to the Association of Banks in Saifi and blocked the chunk of road between the Saifi intersection near Gemmayzeh and the “Ring Bridge.”

Protesters also took over Beirut Souks in the capital’s Downtown area later in the evening.

Dozens of demonstrators had massed in front of the Central Bank in Zahle. According to local media, they held signs and chanted, “We want our money.”

Protesters also entered banks in Sidon, according to the state-run National News Agency. They demanded the release of money to small depositors, who have been struggling to withdraw cash from banks in the face of recent informal capital controls.

A similar protest took place at the Central Bank in the northern city of Tripoli. Meanwhile, in the Aley town of Qabr Shmoun, crowds also stood in front of banks, chanting against current financial policies.

Protesters gathered in front the offices of the state-owned mobile operator Touch in Downtown Beirut, calling on caretaker Telecoms Minister Mohamed Choucair to not renew its contract.

Date: 
December 30, 2019
Actors/ Mobilising structures: 
Collective / informal group
Multi-organisational field (collaboration, allies) : 
N/A
Mode of Action: 
Demonstration
Sit-in
Objective: 
Revolutionary (seeking radical change across society/ political system)
Cause/ Grievances/ Framing CA: 
Access to socio-eco rights
Corruption
Injustice/Perceived injustice
Policy Grievances
Spatial characteristics: 
Location on the Lebanese territory
Frequency: 
Continuous
State response: 
Bargaining

LBN56016

Village Name: 
Tripoli
Local Name: 
Tripoli Zeitoun
Caza: 
Associated HRV: 
31164

LBN31094

Village Name: 
Qabr Chamoun
Local Name: 
Remhala
Caza: 

LBN61100

Village Name: 
Saida
Local Name: 
Saeida Ville
Caza: 
Associated HRV: 
26100

LBN25074

Village Name: 
Zahle
Local Name: 
Zahleh Midan
Caza: 

LBN11061

Village Name: 
BCD
Local Name: 
Beirut Central District
Caza: 
Associated HRV: 
14408

LBN11018

Village Name: 
El Hamra
Local Name: 
Ras Beyrouth
Caza: 

LBN11050

Village Name: 
Saife
Local Name: 
Saifeh
Caza: 

LBN11059

Village Name: 
Al Hikmat
Local Name: 
Moussaytbeh
Caza: