FPM Organizes ‘Flash Lights’ March over EDL ‘Occupation’
Free Patriotic Movement supporters on Thursday staged a march from Ashrafiyeh’s Sassine square to an area near the Electricite du Liban headquarters in Mar Mikhael to protest what they called the “occupation of state buildings.”
An FPM official had told An Nahar and As Safir dailies that the protestors “will hold flash lights in their peaceful march as a civilized message of rejection of the occupation of government buildings in Ashrafiyeh.”
The protest was aimed at sending a message to EDL’s contract workers, who have been staging a sit-in at the state-run firm’s headquarters in the past three months, that the FPM rejects the obstruction of the work of state institutions and the deterioration of public service.
“This occupation is a crime punishable by law,” the official said, adding that the judiciary should pursue the contract workers and the security forces should “find the appropriate way to end the takeover of a public institution.”
But the workers’ sources did not heed the pressure, saying they are ready to go to court anytime and anywhere.
The workers are demanding full-time employment and asking the government to pay their salaries of the past three months. They have occupied the reception area on the ground floor of the EDL building.
EDL’s management has warned that the company is at risk of collapse over lack of maintenance work, which is leading to severe power shortages, and the failure of the workers to collect bills.
Parliament approved a bill that would allow the workers to become full-timers but Christian blocs, including the Change and Reform bloc of FPM leader Michel Aoun, objected to it for creating a sectarian imbalance in the institution.
The draft-law is awaiting approval by parliament’s secretariat.
almost 13 years
Funny how FPM sends an SMS to everyone to attend this protest but they don't dare to mention their party's name. the SMS came from "Achrafieh" and did not even specify that the protest was for the electricity issue (it just said to protect our city blablabla).
Loser way of gathering crowds and pretend they have any support in Achrafieh
almost 13 years
Aounists still thinks they can fool all the people all of the time, the last time they demonstrated a few of them carried LF flags to try to push the Achrafieh angle but when the MTV crew filmed them the other Aounists beat the film crew up. Notice how comisyangeh Gebran Bassil yesterday kept mentioning Achrafieh in his speech, Nassif Azzi must be a disciple of Joseph Goebbels.
almost 13 years
Lol. what's funny about that comment is that if your favored political party was organizing this protest you'd support it, but because it's Aoun's party organizing it then you seek any means to dispute it. Typical Lebanese political followers.
almost 13 years
If such is the case the1phoenix, then your comment suggested otherwise, because rather than provide an alternative solution to FPM's action or criticize FPM action itself, you reverted to insults on FPM's followers.
As you say, debate on the subject matter, not the persona.
almost 13 years
brainwashed zombies
almost 13 years
It is the best way to create tension and strife and probably scaffles between ppl on the street... is this the Reform and Change you always promise with???
almost 13 years
It is the best way to create tension and strife and probably scaffles between ppl on the street... is this the Reform and Change you always promise with???
almost 13 years
It is the best way to create tension and strife and probably scaffles between ppl on the street... is this the Reform and Change you always promise with???
almost 13 years
Time to sell some batteries!!
almost 13 years
This is breaking news: Ashrafieh is the heart of al mouqawameh al Lebnenieh and for the records it would like to disassociate itself from scum like Claoun, we now return to regular programing.
almost 13 years
This shows the ignorance that is Claoun, out of all places he picked Ashrafieh the place that hates him and scum like him the most to hold his rally, really, this shows how out of touch this boot licker really is.
almost 13 years
First of all Ashrafieh is not immune to power shortages just like the rest of Lebanon, second of all his son in law has been the minister in charge of fixing that problem for how long now? Also demonstrating is not gonna fix anything other then make peoples lives miserable, if he wants to fix EDL's employment injustices there is a much better way to fix that then demonstrating, his ministers could easily walk out of that sorry ass government but we all know he can't do that because he doesn't decide for himself, the decision is made for him by his masters in Dahieh and Damascus and you know it.
almost 13 years
The problem with this country is that there are too many mindless sheep who follow leaders who only have their own individual interests in mind. IMO, this is a worthless gesture and only made for political gain. When people start marching for a real cause not dictated by some political leader's wants and wishes, then this country will grow up. Until then, it will continue to be mired in mediocrity.
almost 13 years
There are causes where people spontaneously appear for a good cause and then there are the ones sponsored by political and religious leaders. If you read the article, you will figure out which one this is.
Word of advice: if a politician speaks, he either wants something from you or is lying.
almost 13 years
Good for FPM they have made a 3 in 1 hit:
1- teach the future movement and all other affiliated rascals that you can express yourself in a dignified way refraining from cutting roads, burning tires...
2- they have shown that when it comes to reform FPM has no permanent allies only permanent ethics, and here we should thank LF and phalanges who joined the movement
3- show that at least half of Ashrafieh is loyal to FPM (after all they lost the elections in2009 against Mgr Aoudeh who is now neutral and the Future Sunnis, and of course petrodollars
)
yeah do it and teach all the lebanese thugs that one can demonstrate without burning tires and closing roads. Yes to asking for one's rights. No for attacking the rights of others.