History will remember 2011 as the year of the popular uprising. The common man is creating history in different corners of the world. What else do the Arab Spring, the Occupy Wall Street protests, the anti-austerity protests in Greece and Spain, and the anti-corruption campaign in India herald?
The Arab Spring, which started in Tunisia Dec. 18, 2010, following Mohamed Bouazizi's self-immolation in protest against corruption and ill-treatment by police, overthrew governments in three countries. President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali fled to Saudi Arabia Jan.14, following the Tunisian revolution. In Egypt, President Hosni Mubarak resigned Feb 11 after 18 days of massive protests, ending his 30-year presidency. Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi was overthrown Aug. 23, after the National Transitional Council (NTC) took control. Gadhafi was assassinated Oct. 20.
Protests occurred in Bahrain, Syria, Yemen, Algeria, Jordan, Morocco and Oman too.
The U.S. also witnessed a series of demonstrations. The protests started July 13 when the Canadian-based Adbusters Foundation, best known for its advertisement-free anti-consumerist magazine Adbusters, proposed a peaceful occupation of the Wall Street to protest against corporate influence on democracy.
Termed as Occupy Wall Street, the ongoing protests are against social and economic inequality, high unemployment, corruption, and the undue influence of corporations. The protesters' slogan, We are the 99%, refers to the growing difference in wealth in the U.S. among the wealthiest, who comprise one percent and the rest of the population.
The pictures below show how people's movements affected different countries.
The uprising in Egypt began Jan 25 following the Tunisian revolution. Cairo, Alexandria and in other cities in the country witnessed uprising.It all started with a campaign of non-violent civil resistance, which featured a series of demonstrations, marches, acts of civil disobedience, and labor strikes. Millions of protesters from a variety of socio-economic and religious backgrounds demanded the overthrow of the regime of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.Hosni Mubarak resigned after widespread protests against his continuance as President, leaving the nation in the hands of the military until the general election.Image: A pro-democracy supporter holds a defaced picture of former president Hosni Mubarak in Tahrir Square in Cairo February 18, 2011.
ReutersMass protests broke out in Bahrain in February 2011 amid the wave of Arab Spring uprisings.ReutersThere were a series of protests in over 10 cities of Portugal over the country’s serous economic crisis. The protest was inspired by Deolinda's song "Parva Que Sou", talking about precarious working conditions Portuguese youth.Facebook and other social media networks were also used to organize protests.
The European Union agreed to €78 billion rescue deal for Portugal.Image: People read the front pages of Portuguese dailies in Ericeira.
ReutersSyrian UprisingReutersThe death of Moammar Gadhafi was announced in October, ending his dictatorship over Libya. It was reported that after months on the run, Gadhafi was found in the city of Sirte. There were conflicting reports surrounding his death, as some said the ousted leader was captured, while others said that Gadhafi died from wounds sustained during a rough battle. An autopsy later concluded that Gadhafi died from "two bullet wounds, to the head and chest."ReutersAnna Hazare started an indefinite hunger strike April 5 to exert pressure on the Indian government to enact a stringent anti-corruption law as envisaged in the Jan Lokpal Bill, for the institution of an ombudsman with the power to deal with corruption in public places. The Gandhian ended his fast April 9, a day after the government accepted his demands.Hazare held another fast in August to force the government to implement its promises on the Lokpal Bill.
The movement attracted attention in the media, and hundreds of thousands of supporters. In addition to the activists responsible for creating and organising support for the bill, a wide variety of other notable individuals in different domains have also stated that they support this bill.Image: Veteran Indian social activist Anna Hazare gestures to supporters in front of a portrait of Mahatma Gandhi before ending his fast at Ramlila grounds in New Delhi August 28, 2011.
ReutersAn intense campaign of civil resistance, including a series of street demonstrations, was taking place in Tunisia. The demonstrations began in December 2010 and led to the ousting of longtime president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in January 2011.The demonstrations were precipitated by high unemployment, food inflation, corruption, a lack of freedom of speech and other political freedoms and poor living conditions.Image: Chief Editor Khaled Alhaj of Tunisia television speaks during a meeting with journalists in Tunis. The Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali regime often spied on journalists and was widely known for its heavy censorship measures. The media in Tunisia enjoy freedom of the press as a result of the "Jasmine Revolution."
Reuters
