Collective Action

Students joined protesters and blocked state institutions across the country Friday, in the 23rd day of the national uprising that saw hundreds of thousands in the streets since last month. Dozens gathered outside the Lebanese University's administration in Beirut's Mathaf area, closing the building's doors. They called for a general strike and for the administration and professors not to force students to attend classes. Earlier in the day, a few hundred teachers and students carrying their backpacks gathered outside the Education Ministry in Unesco, while other students blocked the entrances of the Central Bank in Jounieh and Sidon. Students also protested outside LU's Faculty of Law in Sidon. The protests gained support from at least a couple of teachers, who told local media that they supported the students' demands and right to protest and would not resume classes as long as students protested. Employees at mobile operator Alfa gathered outside their offices in Dekwaneh. They were later joined by students as another group gathered outside the company's offices in Jounieh. People also gathered outside the Port of Beirut, the Bsharri municipal building, in Barja and at the National Social Security Fund offices in Jounieh, Jbeil and Tripoli. Many also marched in Zahle, Marjayoun, Hasbaya, Baalbeck, Jbeil and Batroun, while others protested outside banks in Tripoli, Bekaa’s Jub Jennin and Rashaya.