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Leila Boubess became an icon of Lebanons protest movement when a photograph of her trying to prevent an arrest went viral last year. More than 100 days after she took to the streets demanding change, Boubess tells FRANCE 24 shes not ready to quit – yet.
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In November 2019, a photograph of an elderly Lebanese woman hugging a young protester as riot police tried to arrest him went viral on social media sites.
Wearing a bright red T-shirt topped with a trendy visor cap, the woman wrapped her arms around the young mans shoulders, clinging ferociously on, as police yanked his arm.
It wasnt long before Leila Boubess earned a nickname: The Mother of the Revolution.
Saturday marked the 100th day of anti-government protests since Lebanese citizens across sectarian, class and geographic divides took to the streets to demand a change of government and a political system that has seen entrenched elites retain power, mismanaging the country and its economy in the process.
Over the past 100 days, Boubess has joined the protests every single day and shes seen a lot of changes during this period.
“It broke a lot of taboos,” she explained, walking down a Beirut street surrounded by protesters. “Before they used to divide us into sectarianism. Now no, the people are in the street theyre united. I go to the street, they dont ask you…."
Boubess has to cut short her answers as chants of “Lina! Lina!” by young protesters, accompanied by rhythmic clapping, drowns out her reply.
She breaks into a giant grin, proclaiming, “Love you! Love you!” as a protester hugs her to even louder applause.
“Im proud of this generation,” said Boubess, whos just a few weeks shy of 60. “When I look at them, hope comes back. I see the passion in their eyes. Theyre adamant they want a change.”
You have to be patient
Lebanons protest movement has largely been peaceful since it began October 17, 2019. But over the past two weeks, demonstrations have turned violent, leaving hundreds wounded and dozens arrested.
Although a new prime minister, Hassan Diab, has taken over from Saad Hariri following the latters resignation, many protesters say the countrys new cabinet merely represents a swap of new figRead More – Source
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