Tunisia - working class revolt

[Streathamite]

Salam everyone, I am a tunisian living in london, as a matter of fact there is no tunisian organisation in london if we don't consider the gathering of some individuals who got political asylium in the 90's as an organistaion though they have all means and experience
I with few other tunisian activists and very amateur ones as well founded the tunisia solidarity campaign to inform in particular and centralize the support of the uk based tunisian diaspora.. we just created the website http://tunisiasolidarity.wordpress.com/ so feeds will be more and more regular as we figure new ways to translate and pass the info efficiently for those interested.
If anyone has questions about what has been happening feel free to contact me at touneyssa@gmail.com

salaam, welcome and do keep posting

 

[Streathamite]

there are thousands out on the streets of Tunis right now, calling for Ben Ali to go

 

[butchersapron]

Yep, flights being canceled, people evacuated...

 

[audiotech]

 

[peterkro]

Spreading to Jordan now.

 

[Paulie Tandoori]

Gunshots are now ringing around us and in the other sidestreets around interior ministry. An earlier tweet from her: Running battles amid extreme violence from police. Protestors being chased onto rooftops. This is turniing very, very bad.

This is very bad news for Ben Ali who must have been hoping that his concessions announced yesterday would calm things down. Instead the protesters seem to have been emboldened.

Guardian

 

[Streathamite]

Police also making merry with the teargas

 

[butchersapron]

Lots of plainclothes acting as Basij - don't look as committed as the Iranians though.

 

[peterkro]

Unconfirmed reports that journalists have taken over state TV and are supporting the protests.

 

[ymu]

Jonathan Rugman (C4 News) twittering:

News breaking here that Prez calling elections in 6 months and dismissing entire govt. Protestors 1, Ben Ali Nil. #Tunisia

20 minutes ago

 

[Streathamite]

govt now dismissed (confirmed) full elections to legislative assembly to be held in 6 months. Head of the Communist Workers party has been collared by the dibble

 

[butchersapron]

Tunisia Solidarity Campaign meeting this Saturday at 7:00 pm, The President Hotel: 66 Russell Square, Bloomsbury, London WC1N 1DB

 

[butchersapron]

Anyone know what/who this site is?

 

[past caring]

ANN saying (confirmed) curfew and state of emergency declared - unsubstantiated rumours of Trabelsi family trying to escape country.

 

[butchersapron]

Totally unconfirmed reports of arrests and shootings at airport. Gatherings of more than 3 people now banned and subject to live rounds. Are they going to make a last stand? It's happening.

 

[Streathamite]

peaceful solidarity Demo outside Tunisian embassy, saturday 11am.
To clarify on PC's post; the Trabelsis are the family of Ben Ali's extremely unpopular wife.

 

[butchersapron]

What are the army in tunsia? Conscripts? Resented? Nationals service kiddies? Pampered?

 

[Streathamite]

they've said the cops will shoot at people who don't obey orders, 66 dead so far according to a human rights group

 

[butchersapron]

Army taken over airport and outside the main institutions. What is this? A coup? A pathetic carnation echo?

 

[past caring]

Al Jazera now confirming Trabelsi family attempted to leave via Carthage airport but prevented - shots fired.

 

[Divisive Cotton]

fuck! this is the big one

 

[past caring]

Footage now appearing on ANN of Imed Trabelsi's house being ransacked - lends credibility to the stories of fleeing the country [video]http://www.facebook.com/pages/Anonymous-News-Network/114504038619787#!/video/video.php?v=102493959824911&oid=175934182429077&comments[/video]

 

[butchersapron]

Army in parliament. All unconfirmed.

 

[ymu]

Military coup being reported on twitter. Unconfirmed.

 

[IMR]

Twitter: General Ammar reported to be taking over, supposedly sacked earlier for refusing to order troops to fire on demonstrators.

That's General Rachid Ammar, not General Habib Ammar who set up the Tunisian secret police Special Services National Directorate.

 

[gawkrodger]

Trying to fins i their are any consulates in the UK, but can only find the embassy in London (which has the worst website for any embassy/diplomatic org. I have ever seen) and a consulate in Southhampton of all places

 

[butchersapron]

Pm takes over with support of army. Ali out of the country with his £10 billion.

 

[butchersapron]

Al-jaz saying cop shops burning everywhere.

 

[Divisive Cotton]

So is it a coup or revolution? To early to tell yet - within 24hrs it will be clear

 

[nino_savatte]

BBC just reporting that the president has fled the country.

Currently on the ticker
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/