Millions of Lebanese have been taking to the streets for the past few days to protest corruption and topple leaders who've been ruling for decades.
Protestors taking part in the historic nationwide demonstrations are understandably outraged and reeling at a government that's been sinking the public further into a cycle of poverty and debt. However, protests are also jubilant, energetic and very Lebanese — featuring dabke rings, DJ parties, street weddings, card games and of course hilarious chants.
This juxtaposition of pain and joy is a true reflection of a country whose people have risen up against a devastating civil war, Israeli occupation, poor economic status, high unemployment rates, and corrupt leaders.
As the riots make their way into the online world, people abroad are getting a glimpse of the country's exceptional revolution. Here are posts that capture its unparalleled spirit:
1. A kind of "unity" Lebanon has never seen before
2. Protesters did not give up, despite tear gas and violence
The first two days of demonstrations were met with violence on part of Lebanese security forces who tried to break up riots using tear gas.
On Saturday, Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported that "Lebanon's security forces used excessive and unnecessary force against protesters in downtown Beirut on October 18."
The past two days of protests, which saw hundreds of thousands join in, have seen no interference from security forces.
3. High-spirited riots swept the country
4. The only flag displayed throughout
5. Women took center stage this time around
6. Love & Freedom
7. It's not a Lebanese event without ... DABKE
8. This beautiful grandma is the real HERO
9. Protesters are angry, yet joyous
10. Keeping the country clean was most definitely a priority
11. Humanity all the way
12. People taking back what was taken from them
The Lebanese revolution in a nutshell
The ongoing protests were partly triggered by the government's plans to introduce new taxes. Following the nation-wide demonstrations on Thursday, the country's telecommunications minister backtracked on a so-called "Whatsapp tax" scheme.
The movement wasn't just a reaction to the proposed excise, but a response to the government's passivity, corruption and lack of proactive plans and solutions. On Saturday night, as people were hosting a protest party in Tripoli, the country's Lebanese Forces' parliamentary bloc requested that its four ministers in government submit their resignation.
The country's largest protests took place on Sunday. On the same day, officials were still meeting with each other, scrambling to put out a new economic reform plan.
In a statement to the press, Minister of Industry Wael Abou Faour said the scheme was on its way to being finalized. However, nothing the government does is going to change things for people at this point.
