Tunis, Tunisia – Thousands of Tunisians marched in a large protest in Tunis today, chanting slogans against “injustice” and demanding a return to democracy and civil liberties. The demonstration is part of a broader wave of protests and professional strikes sweeping the country.
Protesters, including young activists, members of civil society organizations, parties from various political currents, and independent politicians, gathered in “Human Rights Square” before marching through Mohamed V Avenue in the capital. Many demonstrators wore black and carried signs reading “Enough of Tyranny” and “The People Want the Fall of the Regime,” expressing outrage at what they described as the country’s transformation into a “large open-air prison.”
Demonstrators accuse Tunisian President Kais Saied of consolidating autocratic rule by using the judiciary and police against his opponents. The protesters also marched past the headquarters of the chemical complex in the capital, chanting “The People Want the Dismantling of the Units” in support of residents of Gabes, who have been protesting for weeks demanding the dismantling of the chemical complex in the city due to the pollution crisis.
A spokesperson for the march’s organizing committee told reporters, “Our goal is to unite ranks. The climate, as you know, is difficult today. Our goal is to stop injustice and prevent the country from sliding into the abyss.”
Azzedine Hazgui, the father of detained politician Jawhar bin Mubarak, stated that “Saied has turned Tunisia into a large prison. We are all on temporary release. We will not give up, we will not remain silent, and we will not surrender Tunisia to him.”
Riad Chaibi, a leader in the opposition National Salvation Front, told the German news agency that the march comes “to express this objective national convergence around the goal of resuming the democratic and developmental path that has been stalled for more than 5 years.”
This march is the latest in a series of demonstrations against the current government. The situation remains tense as the country grapples with economic and political challenges.
