October 23rd marked the 7th day of protesting. Banks, educational institutions, and offices remained closed.
People continued to gather to discuss & exchange ideas. Open forums were held at the monumental egg, downtown. University professors took their classes to the streets as to provide real-life inspiration of media & democracy. Others cancelled classes, urging students instead to continue taking the streets to fight for a brighter tomorrow.
Meanwhile,
the army began to get more involved. A slight
violence disrupted the peaceful demonstrations as some soldiers got rough with protestors. They attempted to re-open blocked roads to ease circulation, but for the most part, had no luck doing so.
In the face of this obstacle, both protestors and the army fiercely stood face-to-face in a moment of confrontation and overwhelming emotion. From one perspective, each of these soldiers represent a piece that fits the army’s puzzle, embodying orders from the people they are so desperately trying to overthrow. On the other hand, they are Lebanese nationals who suffer the same wrath as the rest of us, who are moved by what they see and question their positions.
On this day, a video went viral. The video depicted a soldier standing in a chain of other soldiers in front of the mass of protestors who adamantly sang the national anthem, refusing to move from the road. Moved by what was happening in front of him, the soldier’s eyes began to tear up and though he tried hard not to, he began to cry. Protestors approached him, hugged him and comforted him.
The army is being moved, their fragile hearts tearing as they are pressured to act one way and believe in another. This is another victory in the battle. This is united Lebanon in all its splendor.