Collective Action
Protests Outside Zahle's Serail and nearby FPM Offices
BEIRUT: Protesters took to the streets of Jounieh Thursday evening to demand peace and reject sectarian violence, in the wake of Wednesday’s conflict with supporters of Free Patriotic Movement MP Ziad Aswad.
A large group of people travelled to Jounieh from Tripoli in a convoy of buses and cars to take part in the demonstration.
"We are here to say that we are from Jounieh, we are from the Bekaa Valley, we are from all of Lebanon," one man from Tripoli told local TV channel Al Jadeed.
Many of the protesters expressed anger toward the treatment of protesters by Aswad’s supporters outside a restaurant in Kesrouan where the lawmaker was dining Wednesday evening.
Footage circulating on social media showed a young man being assaulted by Aswad's bodyguards and supporters of the FPM, who punched him in the face while asking, "Are you from Tripoli? This is Kesrouan you animal!"
Walid, the young man who was assaulted, also made an appearance during the protests, telling local TV that he frequented the area. He said he had been attacked even before saying a single word.
One protester told local media that “[our] doors are open to everyone; it’s not up to them to decide!”
Protesters also gathered outside the Zahle Serail and the offices of the FPM in the town to reject sectarian rhetoric.
The FPM issued a statement Thursday condemning the attack on the protester and denouncing any violent behavior that may have occurred.
The statement warned, however, that “insulting politicians, their lives and their dignity is unacceptable,” adding that this could lead to “spontaneous reaction” from supporters.