World

Deadly Riots Escalating in Tunisia

TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — Tunisian police fired rounds of tear gas at thousands of protesters in the capital Friday after some climbed atop the roof of the Interior Ministry, a symbol of the iron-fisted government they want to oust.

The demonstrators were marching through Tunis to demand the resignation of the country’s autocratic leader, President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Many shouted “Ben Ali, out!“ and ”Ben Ali, assassin!“ Another poster read ”We won’t forget,” a reference to the rioters killed, many by police bullets.

Deadly Riots Escalating in Tunisia

Hundreds of police with shields and riot gear blocked the avenue Friday in front of the Interior Ministry, where over the years there have been reports of torture. The march was organized by Tunisia’s only legal trade union, which also went ahead with a symbolic two-hour strike.

Deadly Riots Escalating in Tunisia

Plainclothes policemen were seen kicking unarmed protesters and beating them with batons.

Thousands of tourists, meanwhile, were evacuated from the North African tourist haven amid growing unrest.

Pent-up anger at high unemployment and at a leadership many see as controlling and corrupt has exploded into riots in the past few weeks.

Ben Ali, 74, has maintained an iron grip on Tunisia since grabbing power 23 years ago in a bloodless coup, repressing any challenges. He has locked up many opposition figures, clamped down on dissent and kept tight control over the media but has not been able to resolve the country’s rising unemployment, officially at nearly 14 percent, but higher for educated youths.

The riots began after an educated but jobless 26-year-old committed suicide when police confiscated the fruits and vegetables he was selling without a permit.

The official death toll in the riots is 23, but opposition leaders put the figure at three times that, and medical workers on Friday reported another 13 new deaths and over 50 injuries from late Thursday alone.

Deadly Riots Escalating in Tunisia

U.S. diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks have described the corruption in Tunisia, and social networks like Facebook have helped spread the comments. Many ordinary Tunisians who have complained of corruption for years felt vindicated to see the U.S. cables.

The unrest was taking a heavy toll on the key tourism industry in Tunisia, which is known for its wide sandy beaches, desert landscape, ancient ruins and bustling bazaars.

British tour operator Thomas Cook said it was asking its roughly 3,800 British, Irish, and German customers in Tunisia to leave the country, while some 200 Dutch tourists were repatriated Thursday night via a chartered flight.

U.S. and European governments have issued a series of travel alerts warning citizens away from nonessential travel to Tunisia.

The unrest was having diplomatic consequences as well.

Tunisia’s ambassador to the U.N. cultural and educational agency resigned amid the deadly riots. Mezri Haddad, ambassador to Paris-based UNESCO, said on France’s BFM television Friday, “I am resigning today.”

He said he is resigning because he doesn’t want to contribute to something that “is the opposite of my convictions and my conscience.”

Comments (51)

  • www.InternetAnchorman.TV
    Posted on January 16, 2011 at 10:01pm

    If you read about how this took place you will find how much it mirrors America today. A criminal government that is stealing and looting the treasury for their own advancement. The ruling class in Tunisia lived like royalty while regular people in the country could not even afford to eat. The 25 and younger population had a huge unemployment rate. Once Wiki Leaks dropped the truth bomb people finally stood up and took their government back. Here in America we have a criminal government. They are destroying the dollar by design, they are expanding tyranny and shredding civil liberties, food prices are surging due to monetary policy, Obama lives like a king as well the majority of Congress, a 20% plus unemployment rate, shall I go on? I hate to say it but it’s coming. The time to replant the tree of liberty with truth is here.
    http://www.internetanchorman.tv

    Report Post » www.InternetAnchorman.TV  
  • mak15106
    Posted on January 15, 2011 at 8:03am

    Did anyone catch the “Thousands of tourists, meanwhile, were evacuated”. Really? Thousands? Tunisia?

    Report Post »  
  • pattybbb1
    Posted on January 15, 2011 at 1:10am

    truly is Bottom Up, Top Down, Inside Out.

    Report Post »  
  • Eblaze44
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 10:06pm

    Coming to a town near you. Tyranny of the Government and it’s leaders that cram stuff through legislation, control the money and the economy – this is the final result.

    Report Post » Eblaze44  
  • tinlizy
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 8:25pm

    this is Obama’s plan. he too is creating a coup in america. we will see in the next two years what this monster is capable. He will use the massacre in Arizonia as a reason to clamp down, point fingers at us tea party members and conservatives and then he will order the rounding up of all those who criticize him.

    Report Post » tinlizy  
  • wildbillsooner74
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 4:00pm

    “Freeeeedom”!

    Report Post »  
  • Jerminator2011
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 3:07pm

    To those who like to blame every conservative leader in causing the riots in Tunisia … THE TUNISIANS DID!!! Duh. And most people under repressive regimes fight for freedom. Look at history.

    Report Post »  
  • historypaper
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 2:44pm

    This is the Obama world, now the U.S. watches, no more, no less.

    Report Post » historypaper  
  • D-Fence
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 2:35pm

    @Beckisnuts

    This is one of your boys! Grabs power and is only able to hold onto power through Media control, and duping the population. Please my ribs!

    Report Post » D-Fence  
  • David Foxfire
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 2:21pm

    Coming to your country in November 2012…or 2016, depending on the second term.

    Report Post »  
  • 912always
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 2:00pm

    The riots began after an educated but jobless 26-year-old committed suicide when police confiscated the fruits and vegetables he was selling without a permit.

    Sounds like other stories I have read about Kool Aid stands and pumpkin stands right here. Way to scary.

    Report Post »  
  • Ronko
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 1:31pm

    Why am I not surprised. Europe is on the brink of collapse. I‘ll be surprised if they aren’t rioting in Berlin by the end of the month.

    Report Post »  
    • Stronge
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 8:21pm

      You know Tunisia is in North Africa, don’t you?

      Report Post » Stronge  
  • JimOhio
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 1:03pm

    Could we send Sunstein, Piven, Van Jones and that whole crowd there. They are in so dire need of a place to turn into a socialist Utopia.

    Report Post »  
    • sWampy
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 1:35pm

      Here, here, that is exactly the kind of place they have wet dreams about.

      Report Post »  
  • SueDinNY
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 11:59am

    Freedom – now that’s a reason to riot.

    Report Post »  
  • KeithOlberdink
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 11:19am

    I’m sure the lefties are blaming Palin, Beck and Limbaugh for this also.

    Report Post » KeithOlberdink  
  • Chuck
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 10:56am

    You know the word ‘vandal’, well guess where the word came from? From northern Africa, the muslims vandalised everything, and they continue to do so today. Aren’t they so special…

     
    • Strictlybusiness
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 11:11am

      @ CHUCK

      YES THEY are very special…………….NOT ! ! !

      Report Post » Strictlybusiness  
    • SimpleTruths
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 12:26pm

      Wrong Chuck, Vandals were an ancient Germanic group who sacked Rome in the 5th Century. Nothing whatsoever to do with Muslims but nice try.

      Report Post » SimpleTruths  
  • wodiej
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 10:56am

    Socialism simply does not work-even in socialist countries.

    Report Post »  
  • Chuck
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 10:54am

    What a happy faced (man or woman?) in the red cape! Muslims are such happy people spreading their love around the world in suicide vests, gotta love ‘em! They live by the sword and one day will die by the sword.

    Report Post »  
  • FriendlyAtheist
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 10:51am

    To ChiefGeorge:

    I look like the people in Tunisia, and I’d still be fleeing the scene of riots to return home. Finishing your vacation isn’t worth getting locked in when all flights in/out of the country are grounded and you’re stuck, with little or no access to your resources back home, for an indefinite period of time in the midst of social unrest. Even if violence is limited, who‘s to say whether you’ll be locked up for being “suspicious,” as foreigners are always considered such no matter where they are or where they are from? Racism can work its way in there, sure, but every other rift between identity group suddenly has the potential to become a military trench, too. Civil unrest is rarely civil, after all.

    Report Post »  
  • Hugie 59 PA
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 10:44am

    Is this Bush’s fault? Or was it Fannie and Freddy with their toxic mortgages? Seriously, people are dying for the sake of Liberty which this dictator has robbed from them. Let’s not forget to remain alert to the possible loss of our liberties. Let’s be sure the Constitution is upheld in all cases.

    Report Post »  
  • ChiefGeorge
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 10:37am

    “British tour operator Thomas Cook said it was asking its roughly 3,800 British, Irish, and German customers in Tunisia to leave the country, while some 200 Dutch tourists were repatriated Thursday night via a chartered flight”.

    Why is it that when turmoil breaks out in countries like this that all the people who do not look like the host country must leave in fear of their lives? Maybe they are not really welcome in the first place? Can anybody say racist?

    Report Post » ChiefGeorge  
    • snowleopard3200 {cat folk art}
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 10:47am

      Part of the reason why the tourists and other foreign nationals are brought out of the country is to avoid hostage situations like we had back with the Iranians, Britain and Israel have had on many occasions, and such.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Hugie 59 PA
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 10:47am

      They for the most part were tourists but the Dutch were sent back home for protection.

      Report Post »  
  • 912828Buckeye
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 10:37am

    Hope these people get their freedom soon.

    How long before the Bamster goes over there and bows to Ben Ali?

    Report Post » 912828Buckeye  
    • snowleopard3200 {cat folk art}
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 10:45am

      I will give it a week at the most; he will go on another ‘apology tour’ or ‘vacation’ at the same time just as some major legislation or event happens here in America by the left and the Progressives so he can ‘avoid being blamed’ for any true leadership being shown on his behalf.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • BlackCrow
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 10:52am

      These people have been dis-armed, they will never regain their freedom. The tyrants have force of arms and have no problem using them to quell an uprising.

      April 19th 1775 the English military governor of Massachusetts dispatched troops to dis-arm the people of Lexington and Concord. This action sparked a successful American Revolution.

      Would you be ready if YOUR community was ordered to hand in their arms?

      Report Post » BlackCrow  
    • 912828Buckeye
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 11:06am

      Hope so black.

      Report Post » 912828Buckeye  
    • independentvoteril
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 11:38am

      @BlackCrow.. what guns?? American‘s don’t have no stinking guns.. they MAY have BOUGHT one but someone came and stole it.. (only if it was registered).. a back yard safe if a good plan.. compost pile would do.. pack and bury the pieces for later assembly.. having 2 or more guns of the same make would be best just to make sure you have back up parts..

      Report Post » independentvoteril  
  • snowleopard3200 {cat folk art}
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 10:33am

    These people cry out for freedom and decency in the world, and of their own country; while our own land is being pushed by a handful of political professionals (ugh!!!) to the nightmare they wish it to become. The Progressives had best study the failed governments of other nations; of other Progressive and Socialist nations to see the writing has long been on the wall – and the people of this nation (America) will not stand for it.

    http://www.artinphoenix.com/gallery/grimm

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • 912828Buckeye
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 10:41am

      The progressives don’t care about the people, they just want to be in charge. Their no better than Ben Ali.

      Report Post » 912828Buckeye  
  • Ironmaan
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 10:33am

    Food inflation–a symptom of the de-valuation of your dollar by Ben Bernanke. These other countries are tying to defend their currencies by devaluing also, so they can continue to support their export economies. Better buy some gold folks cause your dollars value is dissipating.
    http://guerillatics.com

    Report Post »  
  • NickDeringer
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 10:32am

    This is:
    Beck’s,
    Hannity’s,
    Palin’s
    Rush’s,
    Bush’s
    fault!!

    Did I miss anyone? Oh ya. This is definitely Trig Palin’s fault too.

    Report Post » NickDeringer  
    • TSUNAMI-22
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 10:38am

      You left out Mark Levin and Brian Sussman.

      Report Post »  
    • BeckIsNuts
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 10:43am

      IT’S THE COMING INSURRECTION! LOOK OUT!! TROUBLE IN TUNISIA!!

      Please Glenn, my ribs.

       
    • snowleopard3200 {cat folk art}
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 10:43am

      Oh yes, do not forget the people of America who love freedom and want the government out of their own lives as much as possible – guess now that will make me another ‘enemy of the state’ status award with the administration.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Smokey_Bojangles
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 10:45am

      And Dire Straights song Money For Nothing

      Report Post » Smokey_Bojangles  
    • Oil_Robb
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 11:02am

      And we should care? why?…….Africa was colinized by Christian nations 300 years ago……In the past 60 years they have thrown out the Christians buy in large, let them govern themselves, turning to that scum bag MOHAMMED and throwing the perfect blue print out the window……Let Koran guide them into the next century….the 1300′s that is

       
    • P C BE DAMNED
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 12:15pm

      “Confiscated the fruits and vegetables he was selling without a permit”. You know doing anything without a permit is the high crime in America now.
      “ A State may not impose a charge for the enjoyment of a right granted by the Federal Constitution. No State shall convert a Liberty into a privilege, License it, and attach a fee to it. Murdock Vs. Pennsylvania 319 US 105
      People like the Weavers nearly 20 years ago were murdered by the BATF because they didn’t have a $200.00 permit. NO we never forget abuses by thie so called american government. Stop trying to put your chains on us, we are sick of it.Warning: if you ever push law abiding Americans to have to defend the Constitutional Law you will not believe what will happen even while it is happening. God I love America!

      Report Post » P C BE DAMNED  
    • Dandylyon
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 12:39pm

      Imigrate them all here,they look so “oppressed” and……………………happy.

      Report Post »  
    • Aither
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 12:56pm

      As well the Fox News and Tea Party’s fault.

      Report Post » Huguenot Descendant  
    • GhostOfJefferson
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 1:13pm

      Why anybody would name a country after a fish is beyond me.

      GhostOfJefferson  
    • Blakenship
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 1:49pm

      Yes Mike Savage, he’s a big target too!

      Report Post »  
    • lionslayer44
      Posted on January 15, 2011 at 12:18am

      coming to a town near you. are we currently the only country right now not having riots? i dont think we are immune. fix this economy or this will happen here. or just let the progressives continue their agenda and soon they will start the riots.

      Report Post » lionslayer44  
    • Sam I am
      Posted on January 16, 2011 at 11:50am

      Hey, isn’t that “Flat Fatima” in image #3?
      Remember the woman found grieving in every Reuters shot in Lebanon?
      Now she’s got a new gig in Tunisia?
      More likely, Reuters had some left over Photoshop images.

      Report Post » Secret Squirrel  

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