Civil society groups marched on Sunday from Bourj Hammoud, passed by Gemmayze Street towards Martyrs’ Square in downtown Beirut, followed by al-Nejmeh Square as the last stop.
However, the security forces cordoned off the roads leading to al-Nejmeh Square in order to prevent the protesters from reaching their destination, causing stampede between the security forces and the protesters.
In this regard, a number of activists stressed that “the will of the Naameh residents will not be broken,” adding that the government cares only for the personal interests of the political leaders.
“The parliament is illegitimate and non-existent,” they chanted.
During the protest, the security forces arrested a citizen who complained over a banner displaying the photos of politicians outside al-Nahar building.
He was later released.
Meanwhile, a clash erupted between the protesters, where infiltrators raised knives and threatened the reporters, while calling on the protesters to evacuate Martyrs’ Square.
Earlier in the day, the activists had called on the political forces and security apparatuses to assume their responsibilities and open the roads for the protesters.
Internal Security Forces statement
Following the clashes, the Internal Security Forces issued a statement whereby it stated that the peaceful demonstration is a protected right in accordance with the law, stressing that the security forces preserve this right for the citizens.
However, the statement added that the authority has the right to change the course of the demonstration as well as the end point, pointing out that this happens in all the countries of the democratic world.
The ISF stressed that any violation will be considered an infringement of the freedom of speech and an attack against the law.
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