Storyful Now: Tunisia goes through full revolution
Tunisia’s revolution came to a head on Friday, with President Ben Ali forced to flee the country and an interim government put in place by sunset. The day began with thousands of Tunisians on the streets again on Friday in their continuing protest against the government, reacting to a promise by Ben Ali to step down ’by 2014. The interior ministry in the capital, Tunis, was overrun. There are reports that government forces in Tunisia opened fire on protestors in Tunis on Thursday night. Dissident groups claim at least three protestors were killed. Scores of people have died since nationwide protests over poverty and corruption began last month. Dramatic – and often graphic – images of the protests and violence government crackdown continue to emerge through online dissident networks.
On Friday night, celebrations were mixed with concern about how Tunisia might proceed. The whereabouts of departing President Ben Ali were uncertain after France said that it had not received any request to enter the country from him.
With the revolution having turned a major corner, the man who started it all, Mohammed Bouazizi, is being remembered online.
GOG BLESS MOHAMED BOUAZIZI, HE IS OUR LEADER #sidibouzidALL STARTED WITH ONE MAN: MOHAMED BOUAZIZI #sidibouzidPeople of Tunisia, now that we overthrew this government, are you ready to rule the country? #sidibouzidIt's a horrible night in Tunis. I'm getting ready with a knife and a stick #sidibouzidOK now, stop politics for some hours and shift priority to security, the country is living in terror! #sidibouzidFriday's revolution - as it happened
Initial attempts to prevent word of the revolution emerging were foiled by dogged Tunisian protestors using every social media means at their disposal to promote the revolution. What began with a brave but solitary self-immolation in a marketplace became a nationwide movement, then a global phenomenon.
Friday January 14, 2011, will go down in Tunisian history as the day the people reclaimed their democracy. This is how Storyful followed Friday’s events, in reverse chronological order.
Live announcement on #Tunisia TV now: Parliamentary speaker says he is now taking over as president temporarily #sidibouzidLive: New #Tunisia president pledges to work w- political parties and NGOs to work for economic & political reform #sidibouzidI have never been so proud of being Tunisian! #sidibouzidPresident Ben Ali has left #Tunisia. It happened. Really, really incredible. We're watching history. And I hope Obama's watching tooPicture said to show the tail of the president’s jet.
Situation is very very dangerous now #sidibouzidThe statement of the state of emergency:
"The president has given orders to Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi to create a new government. Following acts of violence, it has been decided to introduce a state of emergency in the country to protect Tunisian citizens. This state of emergency means that any gathering of more than three people is forbidden, that arms will be used by security forces in cases where a suspect does not stop when asked to do so by the police and thirdly, a curfew [is imposed] from 1700 this evening until 0700 in the morning for an indefinite period."
RT @Emnabenjemaa: Aeroport Fermé!!! #fbThis video appears to show snipers shooting a protester. Warning: this video is graphic.
we, Tunisians don't want 3 more years, neither 6 more months. It is out NOW or there is no end to this #SidiBouzid #OpTunisiaThe funeral of Helmi Manai:
Tunisian president fires government as protests intensify in Tunis http://bit.ly/i5bspw #sidibouzid #Tunisiaخبر غير مؤكد بعد: "أغلب قواة الشرطة سلمت سلاحها للجيش و انظمت إلى الشعب" #sidibouzid (translate plz)Translates as: Unconfirmed news yet: “Most police forces handed over their weapons to the army, and were joined to the people”
Protesters gathering at the house of the president’s nephew:
@Dima_Khatib Trabelsi House:
- Moez Trabelsi House : http://on.fb.me/fe4463 #sidibouzid
Huge crowds chanting at protests in Souss:
Protesters at the Ministry of the Interior:
Now : Police is shooting at protesters in downtown Tunis #sidibouzidTranslation: Channel 7 is talking of a demonstration in Tunis in favour of president Ben Ali.
It seems that press censorship survives in Tunisia. Despite all the protests and outcry, media is firmly in state hands.
Canal 7 parle de manif à Tunis à faveur du président Ben Ali #sidibouzidPress freedom : no Tunisian TV is covering the demonstrations happening now #sidibouzidTunisian police form a line outside the interior ministry. Minutes after this picture was taken, it was reported that they began to let people inside.
Translation: The police are no longer making a barrier, they are letting people pass.
Thousands have now gathered outside Tunisia’s ministry for the interior calling for president Ben Ali’s resignation.
Several were left dead in Tunis overnight as police opened fire on protestors in the city centre. This video shows a funeral procession of one of the deceased, saluted by an army officer as it passes him. The anti-Ben Ali chants are clearly audible.
If nothing happens tomorrow, the battle is lost! #sidibouzidDay 28 of Tunisian Uprising ended with 10 new victims of police oppression and snipers fire. Protests continued everywhere. #sidibouzidEvery #Arab leader is watching #Tunisia in fear. Every Arab citizen is watching Tunisia in hope and solidarity. #Sidibouzid.Our curators have assembled this compilation of the most powerful user content from the protests in Tunisia over the past 48 hours.
WARNING: The video contains harrowing images.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay stated ‘The official government figure for the number of people killed last weekend stands at 21 but reputable human rights organizations have reported even higher numbers. The United Nations human rights chief, Navi Pillay, says whatever the precise total, she is extremely concerned about the very high number of people killed. She has called for urgent and strict adherence to basic international human rights guidelines governing the use of firearms. She says if there is evidence that members of the security forces used excessive force or conducted extra-judicial killings, they should face legal action’.
President Ben Ali addresses the nation on TV
Ben Ali is fooling us while his snipers are killing us #sidibouzid اليقضة اليقضة يا شباب و بنات تونسPresident Ben Ali just gave very interesting speech in effort to diffuse protestors. Watch it here http://bit.ly/fY0Us7 #sidibouzidThursday night’s protests come in the wake of a speech by Tunisian president in which he promised to step down … in 2014. It seems abundantly clear that Tunisians want him out as quick as possible, and are willing to die on the streets to make it happen. This piece from Brian Whitaker gives the preamble to Thursday night’s violence.
Tunisia's president, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, said tonight that he would not seek re-election in 2014 in an attempt to calm the growing violence that has swept the country for weeks. In a nationally televised address, Ben Ali, who has been the head of state for more than 23 years, said he would not run for presidency again when his term expired.
Tunisia: double or quits. Ben Ali plays his last card. Will it do the trick? #sidibouzid #tunisia http://bit.ly/i8yAR3In an effort to regain control over the situation, President Ben Ali spoke on national television about the protests, the police reaction and the civil unrest.
Ben Ali promises jobs, personal freedoms, lower food prices, and a resignation in 2014. But what about rainbows and unicorns? #TunisiaRT @weddady: Ben Ali deploys the usual Arab dictators trick book: blaming subordinates. #sidibouzidIn an emotional speech President Ben Ali denounces shooting on civilians if they didn't attempt 2shoot back or disarm the Police #sidibouzidI think it is TOO LATE TOO LITTLE ! RT @aymensaket Good strategy bu Ben Ali, but too late, No?! #sidiBouzidBen Ali's speech is a sign of how fragile his rule today, at this very moment. His authority is clearly shaken. #sidibouzid
