Collective Action
Protesters demonstrate in BCD and attempt to storm into the parliament on a second day and clash with security forces
Riot police clashed with protesters in central Beirut for a second day Sunday, as public rage mounted over a massive port explosion that devastated the city, killed 159 people and injured 6,000.
Riot police carrying batons clashed with demonstrators as thousands surrounded the area around Parliament and Martyrs' Square in Downtown Beirut.
Crowd numbers were significantly lower than the previous day’s “Judgment Day” protests which saw thousands of protesters gathered in Martyrs’ Square. More than 728 were injured and one policeman died in Saturday's protests.
But as numbers increased into Sunday evening, protesters managed to pull down a steel barrier in front of the well-protected Parliament in Downtown Beirut. Debris was set alight on streets surrounding Nijmeh Square.
“The people want the fall of the regime,” people chanted. Nearby, people held a candlelight vigil by Beirut’s port in memory of those who lost their lives in the explosion.
Relative calm returned to the streets hours after the clashes began.
Scuffles had first erupted between protesters and retired Army officers in Martyrs’ Square who were angered by chants against President Michel Aoun. Shortly after the incident protesters began to hurl rocks and ran into the street in front of Parliament in an attempt to destroy the barricades.
Security forces responded by firing tear gas to disperse the crowds.
"NEVER SEEN BEIRUT LIKE THIS"