The Lebanese Get Creative in Their Protests Against the Trash Crisis · Global Voices
Faten Bushehri

Some trash should not be recycled. This is a modified version of a sign held up in a protest in Lebanon shared on Twitter by @Beirutspring. It shows Lebanese politicians across the political spectrum
Grassroots movement Tol3et Re7atkom (You Stink) has managed to rally around 20,000 people and get them into the streets not only protesting against the trash crisis in Lebanon, but also demanding the resignation of the government for its continuous practice of corruption.
On August 22 and 23, Beirut witnessed its largest protests in recent history, with people of all ages and classes gathered to tell the government that they basically stink. Lebanon's trash crisis started when on July 17, the country's largest landfill in Naameh city was shut down by residents of the area. That landfill catered to the areas of Beirut and Mount Lebanon, which together house almost half of the country's population. The government's inability to resolve the trash crisis resulted in mountains of rubbish piling up on the streets, forcing people to walk around wearing masks.
The pictures below were taken from the official Facebook page of “You Stink” movement:
Mountains of trash in Beirut. Photograph from the the official Facebook page of “You Stink” movement
Lebanon's garbage disposed in a hazardous manner, which harms the environment. Photograph from the official page of the You Stink movement
This problem has only added fuel to the already existing political flames in the country. Lebanon, already suffering from a poor infrastructure and daily electricity cuts, has had no president for more than a year. In 2009, its parliament extended its term until 2017, with no elections, citing instability as a reason.
In addition to people carrying political signs, some came up with creative ways to draw attention to the cause.
Saudi journalist Ahmed Al Omran tweeted a photograph of a guy who wished the government's characteristics were reflected in his love life:
Best sign in Lebanon’s protests so far? #طلعت_ريحتكم pic.twitter.com/9WD5nsP17A
— Ahmed Al Omran (@ahmed) August 23, 2015
Rana Harbi shared a couple of photographs she thought were funny and “typical Lebanese”. Some men wore costumes to the protest in attempt to relay the message:
Some funny shots from today's protest. Typical Lebanese. #Beirut #طلعت_ريحتكم pic.twitter.com/zonevY37eg
— Rana Harbi (@RanaHarbi) August 22, 2015
This man really wanted to express how intense the smell of piled up trash spreading across Beirut was, so that's how he showed up:
Some funny shots from today's protest. Typical Lebanese. #Beirut #طلعت_ريحتكم pic.twitter.com/zonevY37eg
— Rana Harbi (@RanaHarbi) August 22, 2015
A protester made a bold comparison between the Lebanese politician and Lebanese porn star Mia Khalifa, saying she has more honor than the politicians.
“Mia Khalifa has more honor than our politicians” 😂 You hear that @miakhalifa ? #Lebanon #Beirut #طلعت_ريحتكم pic.twitter.com/rchHQPM6Rp
— Rana Harbi (@RanaHarbi) August 23, 2015
On other social media platforms, people exchanged more creative photographs like these:
“Either you leave, or we won't give birth. #YouStink” (Source: Unknown)
Yasmine Ballout shares a picture of a sign she deems as creative. The sign reads: “We have chicken and garlic sandwiches, would you let us in?”
HAHAHAHAHAHA I swear I love the creativity of our people ! #طلعت_ريحتكم pic.twitter.com/ECDorepUpt
— Yasmine Ballout (@yasminebal) August 22, 2015
When they say everyone joined the protest, they really meant everyone, including movie characters:
Batman joined us at one point. #Beirut #Lebanon #طلعت_ريحتكم pic.twitter.com/petM7iqCeL
— Joey Ayoub جووي أيوب (@joeyayoub) August 22, 2015
Stay tuned for more coverage from Lebanon as it gears up for more protests tomorrow.