Collective Action

Tripoli showed itself once again to be the heart of the protest movement, with hundreds gathered in Al-Nour Square by early evening. Earlier in the day, buses departed from Beirut and Bekaa to take protesters to join the demonstration, which has become known for its DJ sets and party atmosphere.

In Sidon, dozens gathered at the Eliya intersection, waving signs that read, "Honk if you're with the revolution." Others handed roses to Lebanese Army soldiers stationed in the area.

On Friday evening, five people were injured in a scuffle with Lebanese Army personnel, as they tried to open a central road being blocked by protesters.

People gathered around a row of candles in Beirut's Riad al-Solh Square at a memorial for two men who died during the protests, in incidents unrelated to the demonstrations themselves. Many had, once again, camped overnight in the two main squares of the capital: Riad al-Solh and Martyrs' Square. More protesters joined them as the day wore on.

Life had seemed to return to normal Saturday morning, as traffic flowed freely across the country, banks continued operations and children attended school.

With the exception of Riad al-Solh and streets leading up to it, roads across the capital were open to cars Saturday. The “Ring Bridge,” which has seen back-and-forth between protesters blocking it and security forces wishing to open it to traffic, was open in both directions, though a handful of dedicated protesters remained camped out at the edge of the road.