Power to the People! Lebanese burn candles not tires in protest for electricity

Lebanon wages a protest on power cuts

Al-Jamaa Al-Islamiya held a demonstration Monday night to denounce severe power cuts in Sidon, but refrained from burning tires, a phenomenon that has become the symbol of protest in Lebanon.

The demonstrators carried candles during their rally Monday night in the city’s Nejmeh Square. The head of Al-Jamaa Al-Islamiya in Sidon, Bassam Hammoud, warned of more protests unless power-rationing improved. In a statement he read out before the crowd, Hammoud described Energy Minister Gebran Bassil as “irresponsible” and called on him to resign.

He also said the protest sent a message to Lebanese youth: “We feel your anger and resentment. However, we call on you not to punish your fellow citizens and worsen the crisis by burning tires and blocking roads.”