Over the weekend, anti-government protests in Beirut, Lebanon, turned violent for two nights, as demonstrators clashed with riot police near government offices. Organizers of the #YouStink campaign expressed frustration with the violent protesters, blaming “infiltrators” for the escalation of a peaceful demonstration. The #YouStink protesters are angry with the Lebanese government, accusing it of weakness and ineffectiveness during a time of need—citing the current crisis over uncollected garbage as a symbol of governmental failures. Dozens of police and citizens were hurt in the clashes, and #YouStink organizers have now postponed further demonstrations planned for Monday.
Lebanon’s #YouStink Anti-Government Protests
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Lebanese activists hold up a makeshift shield as they are sprayed by riot police using water cannons during a protest against the Lebanese government and an ongoing trash crisis in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, on August 23, 2015. #
Hassan Ammar / AP -
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Piles of garbage block a street in east Beirut, Lebanon, on August 17, 2015. Health Minister Wael Abu Faour said Monday that the country is on the brink of a “major health disaster” unless an immediate solution is found for the country’s trash. Garbage has been collecting on streets in Lebanon for the past month amid government paralysis and inability to agree on a solution after Beirut’s main landfill was closed down. #
Hassan Ammar / AP -
Lebanese riot policemen clash with protesters during a protest against corruption and rubbish collection problems near the government palace in Beirut on August 22, 2015. #
Jamal Saidi / Reuters -
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Lebanese protesters wave the national flag during a demonstration organized by the #YouStink campaign to protest against the government and the ongoing trash crisis on August 23, 2015, in Beirut. #
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Lebanese activists clash with policemen as they try to cross to the government palace during a protest in downtown Beirut on August 23, 2015. Lebanese Prime Minister Tammam Salam hinted Sunday he might resign after violent protests against government corruption and political dysfunction, triggered by a month-long trash crisis in Beirut. Salam also pledged that security forces that used violence against demonstrators would be held accountable. #
Bilal Hussein / AP -
Lebanese protesters are sprayed with water during a protest against corruption and against the government’s failure to resolve a crisis over rubbish disposal, near the government palace in Beirut on August 23, 2015. #
Mohamed Azakir / Reuters -
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A Lebanese anti-government protester lies on the ground after he was beaten by the riot policemen standing around him, during a protest in Beirut on August 23, 2015. #
Hussein Malla / AP -
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