Libya: Protests Begin in Benghazi Ahead of February 17 Day of Wrath · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

This post is part of Global Voices special coverage on Libya Uprising 2011.
Libya's revolution date is pencilled in for February 17 – but it seems that the Libyans are too eager to voice their rage and anger at Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, who has ruled their country for almost 40 years.
Reports on Twitter and videos uploaded on YouTube speak of protests in Benghazi, where around 200 relatives of political prisoners killed in the Abu Slim Prison massacre of June 1996 have gathered after the spokesman on behalf of the families was arrested.
Libyan citizens take to the streets in Benghazi on February 15, 2011. Still from video by Youtube user enoughgaddafi.
As with Egypt, which ousted Hosni Mubarak after 30 years of corruption, the February 17 date was originally spread through social networking sites, including Facebook and Twitter.
Egyptian blogger Mohammed Maree provides (Ar) some context to why the protests started tonight:
Here are some of the reactions from Twitter, where tweeps are raising the alarm on the unfolding situation in Libya and urging the international community and the Press to pay attention to their cause:
@Naddah: Gaddafi warns against use of Facebook, activists arrested http://bit.ly/eEv4ds #Libya #Feb17
@Tripolitanian: Opposition in #Libya demanding Gaddafi resignation, 2 days ahead of planned #Feb17 http://bit.ly/ftZcfN
@libyan4life: Some reports of movement in Tripoli #Libya, not confirmed. Ahead of #Feb17, Libyans using element of surprise on #Gaddafi!
@Cyrenaican: Protests still going on, at shari3 houari in #benghazi #libya ppl arriving every minute, antiregime, antiGaddafi chants being made
@Ayonadre: Eyewitnesses: protests in Asaha AlKhadra, #Tripoli and more in #Benghazi. The revolt in Libya has begun, can't wait until #Feb17
@fineaccess: In #Benghazi #Libya, using boiling water on protestors in addition to usual bombs.. etc … this is new… rabena yostor
@amtfoto: Libyan protestors in #Benghazi attacked by high pressured hot water #Libya #feb17
@EnoughGaddafi: @dima_khatib @monaeltahawy families of Victims of AbuSalim prison massacre started to demand release of activists, more joined #Feb17 #Libya
@thanku4theanger: #feb17#Libya Benghazi Protests on Aljazeera now. Libyan Protesters attacked with tear gas and batons. Freedom is on its way! #Jan25#egypt
@Dima_Khatib: Police is reported to be already using gas near demo in Benghazi, #Libya. Al jazeera quoted sources on the ground #feb17
@JohnTMorgan: Protesters in Benghazi, Libya have burned down the govt security building heading for city center @monaeltahawy @bencnn @NickKristof #Feb17
@db_s_turbosnail: now protesters moving to the city center #Feb17 #Libya
@Sityaan: Its finally happening people, in #Libya . Even before #feb17. Sparks fly on the streets of benghazi…..http://bit.ly/h2Xn11
@libyan4life: Sources in #Libya say anything related to #Feb17 is blocked. Fears that #Gaddafi will soon cut internet totally.
@EnoughGaddafi: @EnoughGaddafi now numbers at 200 or so estimated in front of security headquarters in Benghazi protesting #Feb17 #Libya
@AhmadALGamaty: Benghazi revolution now it's true #Libya #feb17 #Egypt
@Abukersh: @Leak_Spinner http://j.mp/epEetx BREAKING NEWS !! First videos of Benghazi protests #Libya #Feb17 @enoughgaddafi
@Cyrenaican: Video of protests in #Benghazi #Libya up http://tiny.cc/7fruw #Feb17 read comments for more info
@Cyrenaican: Second video of protests in #Benghazi tonight http://tiny.cc/8f2c6 #Libya #Feb17
@Cyrenaican: Please mirror videos in case they get taken down! #Libya #Feb17
@ChangeInLibya: for libyans on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/17022011libya follow information and spread it even if u dnt want 2 like page #libya #feb17
@Tripolitanian: Gaddafi will murder protesters in #Libya #Feb17 in the absence of your media coverage @AJEnglish @cnnbrk @BBCBreaking @WSJ
@ChangeInLibya: To all followers: I'm sorry for retweet spam but I'm trying to make sure #libya is not ignored. It's the least I can do for my cntry. #feb17
@FreeLibyaa: people who are taking pictures, calling libya etc be very careful! #libya #feb17
@KCdalis: @AJELive #Libya uprising starts #Feb17. This could be the next BIGGEST revolution in history. Don't miss it. Media coverage urgent..
@KCdalis: @Tripolitanian Protests planned in London outside Libyan Embassy and White House USA..should attract Western Media attention. #Feb17 #Libya
@Pulitzercenter: Libya's “Day of Rage” approaches. Who will you be following for updates? We're creating a list. #Libya #Feb17
@FreeLibyaa: can't get through to my cousins… #libya #feb17
@ToneyBrooks: It appears revolution in #Libya has begun in earnest in #Benghazi and #Tripoli. Paid thugs out in full force. God's speed to all! #Feb17
@mnabd: BENGHAZI: Vive la revolucion!!! #libya #feb17
@BareeqBarqawi: Cannot wait till #feb17 for #Libya revolution – #Gaddafi is going DOWN.
@NohaZayed: Is Libya really happening? #feb17 #libya
@ChangeInLibya: lots of gaddafi thugs on twitter trying to spread misinformation, block them: http://bit.ly/enOGaO & send me names if u hv #libya #feb17
@ChangeInLibya: ALL LIBYANS: THE TWITTER TAGS FOR THIS REV ARE #gaddaficrimes #libya and #feb17 – mind the spelling! let's get our story out to the world.
@ChangeInLibya: #libya EVERYONE WITH A VIDEO, upload to http://sharek.aljazeera.net/ as well as FB/youtube! #feb17 don't rely on one medium/website!
This post is part of Global Voices special coverage on Libya Uprising 2011.