For Lebanese residents, street trash becomes a symbol for government cleanup

After a trash crisis in July, protesters and a hashtag in Beirut say the streets aren't the only thing that need cleaning. (AFP/File)

Think back a few months to a dark time in Lebanon this July, when a sanitation worker strike led to literal piles of trash throughout the capital Beirut. 

But for thousands of Lebanese protesters who took to the streets of downtown Beirut Saturday, the trash crisis is only the most obvious sign of an ineffective government wrought with corruption and in need of change. 

Though the stinky saga lasted only a week until sanitation workers resumed pick up, Beirut residents are still dealing with its after-effects over a month later, a slow response they say stems from a government body that’s as stale as the situation itself. 

What transcended was the most violent demonstration Lebanon’s seen in years. Some 75 protesters were injured when police responded with water cannons, rubber bullets and teargas, according to the Daily Star, while some witnesses even reported live fire. Meanwhile, security forces said some 35 of its members were also injured, but rights groups say this is a gross exaggeration. Human Rights Watch condemned what it deemed excessive force on the part of the government, saying it 'failed to uphold human rights standards' during an otherwise peaceful demonstation. 

The action on the ground were backed online by the worldwide trending hashtag #طلعت_ريحتكم (#You_Stink) on Twitter. By Sunday, an English equivalent had taken form. 

Whether this foreshadows a larger political change isn’t clear yet, but it does show that after months of stink in the streets and — according to some — in government offices, Beirut’s not quiet.

Here's some of the Twitter responses below.

One of the dangerous protesters that made Lebanese security open fire #طلعت_ريحتكم pic.twitter.com/sNCntojUWc

— weddady (@weddady) August 22, 2015

Footage emerges of violent clashes over #Lebanon's garbage crisis http://t.co/GF6YbMHWZZ #طلعت_ريحتكم pic.twitter.com/tMZ91JAjh0

— The Stream (@AJStream) August 22, 2015

Best pic of the day. #طلعت_ريحتكم pic.twitter.com/u2wLvTSebe

— Serge Trad (@sergetrad) August 23, 2015

It's 1 am in #Beirut. Protestors are still chanting "down with the sectarian regime" #youstink #طلعت_ريحتكم pic.twitter.com/Ar48avE7Vo

— Mohamad محمد (@monajem) August 22, 2015

Disproportionate level of violence by security forces in #Beirut in response to #طلعت_ريحتكم #YouStink protests. pic.twitter.com/t0ac39hjGT

— Ahmed Shihab-Eldin (@ASE) August 23, 2015

Protests in #Beirut seem more organized and mobilized than in year's past. #طلعت_ريحتكم #YouStink #Anonymous pic.twitter.com/GtqTgjm0Bz

— Ahmed Shihab-Eldin (@ASE) August 23, 2015

Some of the bullets that we found on the ground. #Beirut #Lebanon #طلعت_ريحتكم pic.twitter.com/CKpUaYRUqX

— Joey Ayoub جووي أيوب (@joeyayoub) August 22, 2015

Some funny shots from today's protest. Typical Lebanese. #Beirut #طلعت_ريحتكم pic.twitter.com/zonevY37eg

— Rana Harbi (@RanaHarbi) August 22, 2015

People are still at riad al-solh, brought tents and chanting. Things are calmer #beirut #طلعت_ريحتكم pic.twitter.com/2OByOBaYw9

— Micheline Tobia (@michatobia) August 22, 2015

117,000 tweets and counting #طلعت_ريحتكم #Lebanon #YouStink #طلعت_ريحتكن #عيب # pic.twitter.com/Ni3qbyock9

— Mounir (@MounirSk) August 23, 2015

anti-gov protestor gives his face mask to soldier last night in downtown #Beirut #Lebanon #youreek #youstink pic.twitter.com/WTC0ExBKi4

— sam tarling (@sam7tarling) August 23, 2015

A wave of protests already scheduled for next week, starting Tuesday's "We Are Holding You Accountable": https://t.co/9zQZJ9CTaX #YouStink

— Azza E. (@aemasri) August 23, 2015