Activists
literally took to the streets of Beirut by laying mattresses in over 16
associations and on all sidewalks from Ain El Mraysseh to Tayouneh, from Hamra
to Gemmayze and Ashrafieh on Saturday afternoon, claiming their right to have
access Beirut’s pine fores or Horsh Beirut.
Beirut's municipality is preventing citizens from entering this forest which is
surrounded by barbed wires and licks, except for those who are granted special permission
from the Governor of Beirut.
10
years ago, the municipality rehabilitated the park that was ravaged by the war
and burned by the Israeli invasion. However, Beirut’s residents, who are looking
for a retreat from the city smog, are still denied access to this forest.