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| Africa North |
| Tunisians celebrate Arab Spring anniversary |
| 2011-12-18 |
| SIDI BOUZID, Tunisia: Tens of thousands of people packed a provincial town square to celebrate the first anniversary on Saturday of Tunisia's democratic revolution in the place where it began, unleashing a tide of popular revolt that has transformed the Arab world. In Sidi Bouzid, tens of thousands of people rallied joyfully in the central square, dancing to the rhythms of popular songs despite cold weather, and flags and photographs of Tunisians killed in the uprising decorated the streets. A ceremony was held to unveil a giant status of Mohamed Bouazizi, who has become a national hero in the North African country. He was a jobless unemployed university graduate in Sidi Bouzid set himself on fire in despair at police who had confiscated his unlicensed fruit and vegetable cart. He died later in hospital. His death took the lid off simmering anger about poverty, joblessness, corruption and repression. Protests erupted across Tunisia, forcing President Zine Al-Abidine Ben Ali to flee the country less than a month later. "It's a day of joy; Sidi Bouzid has long suffered from neglect and today it has become the capital of the world," said a dancing young man who identified himself as Emad. |
| Posted by:Steve White |