Tunisian Rioters Overwhelm Police Near Capital (Mansion Of A Presidential Relative Ransacked)

[Turborama]

Source: NYT

By DAVID D. KIRKPATRICK and J. DAVID GOODMAN
Published: January 13, 2011

HAMMEMET, Tunisia — Protesters swarmed this beachfront tourist destination near the newly restive capital on Thursday, overwhelming the police and ransacking businesses as well as the luxurious mansion of a member of the president’s family.

Social media appeared to play a strong role in organizing the violence, as it has throughout the three weeks of demonstrations and riots that have threatened the government of the authoritarian president, Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali. The unrest spread this week to the capital, Tunis.

Early on Thursday, an Arabic Facebook page called on the people of Tunisia to prepare to sacrifice their blood in Hammemet, where several members of Mr. Ali’s extended family have mansions. The page is named “The People of Tunisia are setting themselves on fire, Mr. President,” a reference to the young unemployed man who set himself on fire last month, setting off the wave of growing unrest.

By midday, hundreds of rioters were rampaging through the streets here, several banks were aflame and police officers huddled defensively, shields raised, around their station. The rioters marauded through the beachfront mansion of a presidential relative, pulling out a television and two all-terrain vehicles and setting them aflame. A horse ran free in the mansion’s yard.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/14/world/africa/14tunisia.html?_r=1&hp

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Single page version: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/14/world/africa/14tunisia.html?_r=1&hp=&pagewanted=all



I have added a few OPs to my journal which give further background info:

Anonymous Has Joined Tunisian Activists To Help Fight The Government's Stifling Of Online Dissent
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/Turborama/395

As Riots Continue, Tunisian Bloggers & Rapper Arrested
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/Turborama/398

The Moor Next Door: More On Riots, Protests In North Africa (Why They Are Historically Important)
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/Turborama/397

Interactive Map Of Countrywide Riots In Tunisia & Links
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/Turborama/396

[Turborama]

1. BBC: Tunisia protests: Live bullets fired in central Tunis (this is looking like a revolution)

Security forces have fired live bullets and tear gas in the centre of the Tunisian capital Tunis, reports say.

At least one person is reported to have been killed and a large area of the city centre has been closed off by police and the military.

It comes after violent scenes in the capital overnight despite a night-time curfew being put in place.

At least 23 people have died since nationwide protests over poverty and corruption began last month.

The BBC's Adam Mynott in Tunis says the unrest has now reached the central streets of the capital, close to shops, banks and the French embassy.

A lot more, including video of the riots: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12180738

[madrchsod]

2. it`s getting very nasty over there...

and i wonder how far this will spread.

[muriel_volestrangler]

3. Tunisia President Ben Ali 'will not seek new term'

Tunisia's president has said he will not seek a new term in office in 2014, following widespread protests which have left at least 23 people dead.

Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali also said he was also ordering police to stop using live fire against protesters.

Mr Ben Ali, who has ruled the country since 1987, was speaking hours after police fired live shots at protesters in the capital, killing one man.

Human rights groups say more than 60 people have died in weeks of unrest.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12187084

[Turborama]

4. Looks like he won't have any choice in the matter

He's escaped out of the country: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4696895