Police Fire Tear Gas, Water Cannons At 'You Stink' Protesters In Beirut As Trash Continues To Pile: Report

UPDATE, 2:45 p.m. EDT: One person is in critical condition and at least 15 people have been hospitalized, Lebanon's Red Cross said Saturday. The injured were reportedly part of the day's "You Stink" demonstrations in Beirut protesting the country's lack of trash collection. The protesters have called for an ongoing sit-in until the cabinet resigns and parliamentary elections are held.

Original story below.

Demonstrators in downtown Beirut protesting against the Lebanese government were met by police employing tear gas and water cannons Saturday, the Associated Press reported. The demonstrators, associated with the handle “You Stink” and the hashtag #YouReek, assembled to decry the buildup of trash on the city’s streets during the past month or so. Protesters say government corruption and political dysfunction are to blame for the sanitation crisis.

Photographs and video uploaded on social media show large groups of people moving away from police as many in the crowd coughed and held shirts over their faces. The sound of blasts can be heard in the background, and what appears to be smoke is seen surrounding the crowd.

According to AP, some demonstrators shouted, “The people want to topple the regime!” This phrase was frequently used by protesters during the Arab Spring uprisings that brought down governments across the Middle East-North Africa region. Others yelled, “Revolution!”

Beirut’s main landfill was closed more than a month ago, and authorities have yet to come to an agreement on how to deal with the mounting trash. It has simply accumulated in the streets as the government has been unable to settle on an alternative dumping ground for the garbage, amid legislative paralysis and bickering among politicians.

The situation has led protesters to call for the ouster of Lebanon’s environment minister, Mohammad Machnouk, who has said he will remain in his position until he finds a compelling reason to resign. “I am working within my responsibilities and when I find a reasonable motive that compels my resignation, then I will not hesitate,” Voice of Lebanon Radio (100.5) quoted him as saying via its Twitter account.

The “You Stink” demonstrators previously took to the streets Wednesday to demanding a solution to the problem. Police responded with tear gas and water cannons then as well. Protesters reportedly threw bottles and rocks at police, while police pushed back demonstrators with batons and shields. Via social media, the protesters vowed to return Saturday.