Yemen protests: Thousands call on president to leave

[Turborama]

Source: BBC

Thousands of Yemenis are demonstrating in the capital Sanaa, calling on Ali Abdullah Saleh, president for more than 30 years, to step down.

Reports say they gathered in at least four locations in the capital, including Sanaa University.

Protesters chanted anti-government slogans and made reference to the overthrow of the Tunisian president. Organisers have called on students and civil society groups to rally against corruption and economic policies.

Yemenis complain of mounting poverty among a growing young population and frustration with a lack of political influence.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12295864

[Turborama]

1. Reuters: Thousands march in Yemen to demand change of govt.

Thu Jan 27, 2011 9:07am GMT

* At least 16,000 protesters gather in capital Sanaa

* Hundreds join rival rally by ruling party

* Security forces in central square to protect banks

By Mohammed Ghobari and Khaled Abdullah

SANAA, Jan 27 (Reuters) - Thousands of Yemenis took to the streets of Sanaa on Thursday to demand a change of government, inspired by the unrest that has ousted Tunisia's leader and spread to Egypt this week.

"The people want a change in president," shouted protesters who gathered at Sanaa University for one of the demonstrations scattered across the city, in the largest of a wave of anti-government protests.

President Ali Abdullah Saleh, a key ally of the United States in a war against a resurgent Yemeni arm of al Qaeda, has ruled the impoverished Arabian Peninsula state for over 30 years.

At least 10,000 protesters gathered at Sanaa University and around 6,000 more elsewhere in Sanaa in protests organised by Yemen's opposition coalition, Reuters witnesses said. Police watched but no clashes were reported. Protesters said they were demanding improvements in living conditions as well as political change. One banner read: "Enough playing around, enough corruption, look at the gap between poverty and wealth."

More: http://af.reuters.com/article/egyptNews/idAFLDE70Q0DQ20110127?sp=true

I've only found reports of this on BBC and Reuters so far.

[sabrina 1]

2. I saw that earlier, I think on Al Jazeera also.

There have also been protests in Lebanon, even in Libya, small but still, they NEVER have protests there. I think all those dictators are shaking in their boots by now. I think I read that even in Saudi Arabia there were demonstrations.

The U.S. is advising their Dictator friends to allow protests to go forward. Of course they know better than anyone, that if you let people demonstrate, but keep them strictly under control and you don't show them on TV, the people will 'get it out of their system' and will pose no threat to the State.

[Joanne98]

3. Yemen protesters demand change of government

Thousands of Yemenis today took to the streets of the capital, Sana'a, to demand a change of government, inspired by the unrest that has ousted the Tunisian leader and spread to Egypt.

"The people want a change in president," protesters chanted at Sana'a University in one of a series of demonstrations across the city – the largest in a wave of anti-government protests.

President Ali Abdullah Saleh, a key ally of the US in a battle against the resurgent Yemeni arm of al-Qaida, has ruled the Arabian peninsula state for more than 30 years.

At least 10,000 protesters gathered at the university, with about 6,000 more elsewhere in Sana'a. The demonstrations were organised by Yemen's opposition coalition, witnesses said. Police watched, but no clashes were reported.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jan/27/yemen-protesters-demand-change-government

[dbt]

4. Yemen protests: Thousands call on president to leave

Source: BBC

Thousands of Yemenis are demonstrating in the capital Sanaa, calling on Ali Abdullah Saleh, president for more than 30 years, to step down.

This comes after mass protests in Egypt and a popular uprising in Tunisia that ousted its long-time leader.

Yemeni opposition members and youth activists gathered in four parts of the city, including Sanaa University, chanting anti-government slogans.

Protesters gathered in several locations of the city on Thursday morning, chanting that it was "time for change", and referring to the popular uprising in Tunisia that ousted President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali earlier this month.


Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12295864

[Joanne98]

5. Anti-Government Protests Spread To Yemen

Source: NPR

Tens of thousands of people are calling for the Yemeni president's ouster in protests across the capital inspired by the popular revolt in Tunisia.

The demonstrations led by opposition members and youth activists are a significant expansion of the unrest sparked by the Tunisian uprising, which also inspired Egypt's largest protests in a generation. They pose a new threat to the stability of the Arab world's most impoverished nation, which has become the focus of increased Western concern about a resurgent al-Qaida branch, a northern rebellion and a secessionist movement in the south.

Crowds in four parts of Sanaa have shut down streets and are chanting calls for an end to the government of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has been in power for nearly 32 years.

"We will not accept anything less than the president leaving," said independent parliamentarian Ahmed Hashid.



Read more: http://www.npr.org/2011/01/27/133264877/anti-government-protests-spread-to-yemen

[dixiegrrrrl]

6. That oughta piss off Washington.

All that money we have sunk into Yemen to protect oil routes.

:popcorn:

[Turborama]

7. Tens of thousands take to the streets of Yemen (VIDEO)

Tens of thousands of people in Yemen have taken to the streets in the country's capital, calling for an end to the government of Ali Abdullah Saleh, the president.

Inspired by recent events in Tunisia and Egypt, opposition members and youth activists are rallying at four different locations in Sanaa on Thursday, chanting for Saleh, who has been in power for 32 years, to step down.

"Enough being in power for 30 years," protesters shouted during the demonstrations.

They also referred to the ouster of Tunisian president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, saying he was "gone in just 20 years".

More, including video report: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/01/2011127100660857.html

[sabrina 1]

8. Thousands march in Yemen to demand reform

Source: Alarabia

Thousands of Yemenis took to the streets of Sanaa on Thursday calling on President Ali Abdullah Saleh to depart after being in power since 1978.

"Enough being in power for (over) 30 years," chanted protesters in demonstrations staged by the Common Forum opposition in four different locations in Sanaa.

They also referred to the ouster of Tunisian president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, saying he was "gone in just (over) 20 years."

"No to extending (presidential tenure). No to bequeathing (the presidency)," they chanted, insisting that it was "time for change."

Read more: http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/01/27/135234.html

---

The protestors say they want 'improvements in living conditions as well as political change. Banners point out the disparity between the rich and the poor.

Tunisia, Egypt, Lebanon and now Yemen ~

Trying to make this growing movement about extremists simply will not work. It is a revolt against the class war that has been going for decades, moving every country's wealth up to a top small % of the people, leaving the vast majority living in poverty.

It was bound to happen, it happened in Latin America. It's only surprising it took so long.

[Name removed]

9. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[sabrina 1]

11. I bet they are. But they never give up and they definitely

won't be on the side of democracy, if history is any guide. I'm sure they have already contacted the expected oppositions forces, as they have in Latin America, planning their usual nasty, destabilizing tactics should by some miracle, real democracy begin to take root.

We love our dictators, I'm sure they are being mourned in DC today.

[demosincebirth]

10. Who do you think is waiting on the side lines?

[Robb]

13. Only benevolent types, clearly.

:eyes:

[nalnn]

12. Unlike south america

North Africa and the Middle East and parts of the Near East were once unified in a single Caliphate. In my opinion, this is where all of the recent proto-revolutions over there are headed.

[sabrina 1]

14. I doubt it, if you read the reasons for these uprisings

they are no different from what we saw in Europe during this summer. I think all of them want a democratic government, sick of the authoritarian dictatorships supported by Western powers, much like what happened in Latin America. These people are ordinary human beings who finally had enough and want a normal life where they have normal human rights, free from fear and a way to make a living that will support their families.

Why is the U.S. so fearful of democracy? Why do we always support the worst dictators?

This is a revolt against the failed, Global Capitalist policies which impoverished countries around the globe and driven the wealth of each of these countries up to a small % of their populations. Like here.

All isms collapse in the end. Capitalism/Colonialism is a cruel system and I for one will be glad to see it ended.

[nalnn]

15. I don't disagree

I will be glad to see these oppressive regimes gone as well. My concern however is for what comes next for Tunisia, Egypt, Lebanon, Yemen etc. Tunisia has AQIM, and other radical political groups biding their time waiting to strike. Egypt has the Brotherhood. Lebanon Hezbollah and Yemen AQAP. These groups have been silent on their positions regarding the demonstrations of late and they are not without power nor are they without influence among the poor.

[sabrina 1]

16. I think it will be different in each country.

Eg, Egypt, if Mubarak falls, has a movement for democracy already in place, led by a man who is respected there and throughout the rest of the world (except, maybe, the U.S.). If Elbaradei runs for president and wins, I think Egypt has a good chance of becoming a stable democracy. It will take time, and I hope the U.S. will assist rather than do what they have done in Latin America, try to undermine his efforts.

Tunisia too has a shot at being a stable democracy, imo. They will need someone who is respected to fill the vacuum left now.

I have read that at least one former exiled dissident leader has returned. Otoh, most Tunisians are not familiar with those who were thrown out of the country by Ben Ali and will probably want someone who has been in the country all this time. But so far, they seem to be focused on what they want. I really hope they succeed. I don't the AQIM has much footing there. The protests were about Democracy, not extremism and I imagine the dangers of such groups gaining power, will not be ignored by those responsible for the new government.

Yemen, a very poor country, is a different story. But the desires of the people to be free may be stronger than any extremists' efforts to take over. At least I hope so.

Lebanon will have to sort out its leadership but maybe I'm being naive, I think this movement in so many countries is about the people. I think they are sick of the fighting, the wars, the injustice etc. The human spirit should not be discounted I think.

And the West has a role too. They can either try to do what they always do, support the opposition to emerging democracies, or join the now almost worldwide revolt against the old Cold War policies ~ this is a very important time in world history. I'm surprised not to see more coverage of it in this country.

[nadinbrzezinski]

17. Yemen: Tens of thousands call on president to leave

Source: BBC

This comes after mass protests in Egypt and a popular uprising in Tunisia that ousted its long-time leader.

Yemeni opposition members and youth activists gathered in four parts of the city, including Sanaa University, chanting anti-government slogans.

They also called for economic reforms and an end to corruption.

Yemenis complain of mounting poverty among a growing young population and frustration with a lack of political freedoms.

The country has also been plagued by a range of security issues, including a separatist movement in the south and an uprising of Shia Houthi rebels in the north.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12295864

---

Here is a handy map...



So you can locate both Egypt AND yemen... look at Lebanon too

[struggle4progress]

18. Thousands demand president step down

... The United States, which has played an increasingly active role in efforts to stem Al-Qa'ida's use of the Arab world's poorest nation as a rear-base for its worldwide activities, said it backed the right to peaceful protest.

Washington backs the right of Yemenis to "express themselves and assemble freely," State Department spokesman Philip Crowley told reporters, echoing the message that it has been delivering to key Arab ally Egypt ...

http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Thousands+demand+president+step+down/4182075/story.html

[No Elephants]

19. Of course, we've been supporting him. Shades of Iran.