2015–2016 Lebanese protests

January 2017 October 2025 hist January 2017 2015–2016 Lebanese protests Martyr Square 29 August 2015.jpg Martyr Square 29 August 2015 200 21 July 2015 – 2016 Lebanon * Waste management crisis Sectarianism Corruption Unemployment Political dysfunction Power cuts Water shortages * Solve waste management crisis Proportional Electoral Law Elect a new parliament Overthrow the government Investigation of police brutality Institutional reforms * Civil resistance Demonstrations Online activism Riots Self-immolationhttp://www.saidaonline.com/news.php?go=fullnews&newsid=72975 بالصور.... شاب يحرق نفسه امام سراي صيدا الحكومي saidaonline.com Arabic 23 August 2015 23 August 2015 * Sparked Beirut Madinati campaign;Chaaban, Jad et al. "Beirut’s 2016 Municipal Elections: Did Beirut Madinati Permanently Change Lebanon’s Electoral Scene?" Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies, October 2016. . Retrieved 21 May 2025. Influenced 2019–2020 Lebanese protests;Assi, Abbas. Lebanon’s Protest Movements: A Thematic Overview of Civil Mobilization since 2005. Friedrich Naumann Foundation, 2021. . Retrieved 21 May 2025. Raised awareness on corruption and waste mismanagementAbu-Rish, Ziad. "Garbage Politics." Middle East Report, no. 277 (2015). . Retrieved 21 May 2025. * You Stink movement (طلعت ريحتكم) Independent civil society activists Youth-led coalitions Environmental advocacy groups Citizens affected by state dysfunction Lebanon Government of Lebanon Council of Ministers Lebanon Ministry of Environment (Lebanon) Security Forces Sectarian political elites 4000 (8 August)18000 (22 August)45000 (23 August)120000 (29 August) 1 killedhttp://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/08/injuries-protests-lebanon-beirut-intensify-150823183908444.html Protester dies during demonstrations in Beirut Al Jazeera English 23 August 2015 23 August 2015402 wounded 31 wounded The 2015–2016 Lebanese protests, commonly referred to as the "You Stink" movement (Arabic: مظاهرات طلعت ريحتكم ), were a series of mass demonstrations in reaction to a waste management crisis in Lebanon. The closure of the Naameh landfill, which operated beyond its intended capacity since 1997, led to the suspension of garbage collection across Beirut and Mount Lebanon.Abu-Rish, Ziad. "Garbage Politics." Middle East Report, no. 277 (2015). merip.org Trash accumulated in urban areas piled up and public outcry mounted. It startled protests that quickly turned in to a broader movement, in which participators demanded political reform, government accountability and an end of Lebanon's sectarian power-sharing system.Beck, Martin. "Contextualising the Current Social Protest Movement in Lebanon." University of Southern Denmark, 2015. sdu.dkAssi, Abbas. Lebanon’s Protest Movements. Friedrich Naumann Foundation, 2021. freiheit.org The protests were noted for their non-sectarian and decentralised structure."Lebanon’s ‘You Stink’ Protests." Global Voices, 2015. globalvoices.org Participators came from various classes of Lebanese society, challenging political class across confessional lines. Protesters came together through social media and creative forms of expression including satire, visual art, and symbolic performance. Slogans such as "The people want the fall of the regime", were also used during the Arab Spring and were directed at Lebanon's ruling elite.Kraidy, Marwan M. "Trashing the Sectarian System?" Communication and the Public, vol. 1, no. 1 (2016): 19–26. sagepub.com Although the protests did not immediately lead to institutional reforms, they played a significant role in developing Lebanese contemporary civil society.Nasrallah, Monique M. "That Stinks: News Framing of a Corruption Scandal in Lebanon." University of Washington, 2017. UW ResearchWorks Multiple civic initiatives, such as the Beirut Madinati campaign in the 2016 Lebanese municipal elections, drew inspiration from the You Stink movement and is seen as a precursor to the 2019 October uprising."Scattered Victories and Building an Opposition Movement." Humena, 2021. humena.orgChalland, Benoît. "Reframing Protests in the Arab Region." Mediterranean Politics, vol. 24, no. 5, 2018, pp. 617–624. Taylor & Francis Background The 2015–2016 Lebanese protests originally occurred because of the failure of Lebanon's centralised waste management system, which had depended since 1997 on a single landfill near Naameh, south of Beirut.Abu-Rish, Ziad. "Garbage Politics." Middle East Report, no. 277 (2015). merip.org The Naameh landfill had an intended capacity of two million tons of garbage, but by the time of its closing in 2015 due to pressure of locals and activists, it had received over 15 million tons of waste."Lebanon’s ‘You Stink’ Anti-Government Protests." The Atlantic, August 2015. theatlantic.com The site closed immediately and without any viable alternatives, it led to a garbage halt by Sukleen, the waste management company responsible for collecting waste in Beirut and Mount Lebanon.Nasrallah, Monique M. "That Stinks: News Framing of a Corruption Scandal in Lebanon." University of Washington, 2017. UW ResearchWorks Thousands of tons of waste piled up in the streets during the peak of summer, causing environmental and public health risks.Assi, Abbas. Lebanon’s Protest Movements. Friedrich Naumann Foundation, 2021. freiheit.org The garbage crisis quickly exposed deeper dysfunctions within the Lebanese state. When the Lebanese Civil War ended in 1990, Lebanon adopted a confessional power-sharing model that distributed political office along sectarian lines, leading to widespread clientelism and weak governance.Beck, Martin. "Contextualizing the Current Social Protest Movement in Lebanon." University of Southern Denmark, 2015. sdu.dkGlobal Voices. "Lebanon’s ‘You Stink’ Protests." 2015. globalvoices.org By 2015, these dynamics led to consistent crises in basic public services, such as electricity blackouts, worsening of the water infrastructure and an inability to pass a national budget for over a decade.Challand, Benoît. "Reframing Protests in the Arab Region." Mediterranean Politics, vol. 24, no. 5, 2018, pp. 617–624. Taylor & Francis Lebanon had also been without a president since May 2014, leaving executive decisions a state of uncertainty.Assi, Abbas, ibid. According to political analyst Marwan Kraidy, the waste crisis functioned as a "biopolitical flashpoint", mobilising Lebanese citizens from different backgrounds and uniting them through their shared concerns and grievances over the inability of the state to manage standard needs like public health.Kraidy, Marwan M. "Trashing the Sectarian System?" Communication and the Public, vol. 1, no. 1 (2016): 19–26. sagepub.com The forming of the "You Stink" movement in July 2015 began out of this moment. Initially it started as a social media campaign demanding the removal of garbage, but it quickly grow into a call for institutional reform.Humena. "Scattered Victories and Building an Opposition Movement." 2021. humena.org The movement didn't revolve around a single party or leader- it was led by multiple independent acvtivists, civil society groups and collectives that rejected the sectarian order.Nasrallah, Monique M., ibid. Despite being decentralised in character, the protests were unified by its demands for transparency, reforms of political systems and ending institutional corruption. systems.Abu-Rish, Ziad, ibid. The rhetorics of the 2011 Arab Spring were and inspiration for the "You Stink movement". Protesters adopted slogans and strategies such as "the people want the fall of the regime", and gathering in downtown Beirut's Riad Al Solh Square."Lebanon Events 2015." ReliefWeb. reliefweb.int During these gatherings, the protesters often performed live music, street performances, political satire and art, reflecting both their anger and creativity.The Atlantic, ibid. Timeline of Events July 2015: Landfill Closure and Garbage Accumulation The Naameh landfill, located south of Beirut, was officially closed on the 17th of July in 2015, after years of exceeding its capacity. The Lebanese authorities were not able to put an alternative waste management into action, regardless of prior warnings.Social Movement Responding to Lebanese Garbage Crisis Civil Society Knowledge Centre 22 August 2016 https://civilsociety-centre.org/party/social-movement-responding-lebanese-garbage-crisis 22 May 2025 Consequently, Sukleen, the private contractor responsible for waste collection in Beirut and Mount Lebanon, ceased operations. Soon garbage began piling up on the streets, raising significant public health and environmental concerns.Assi Abbas Lebanon's Protest Movements Friedrich Naumann Foundation 2021 https://www.freiheit.org/sites/default/files/2021-06/abbas-assi-lebanons-protest-movements.pdf 22 May 2025 August 2015: Protests Begin A group of activists launched the "You Stink" movement on social media, as a response to the growing waste crisis.You Still Stink NOW Lebanon 30 August 2024 https://nowlebanon.com/you-still-stink/ 22 May 2025 The activists were calling for government accountability and effective waste management solutions. The first major protest took place on 8 August in Beirut's Riad Al Solh Square, attracting several hundred participants. As the situation worsened, demonstrations intensified. Thousands of people gathered in central Beirut to express their frustration and concerns, on 22 and 23 August. Clashes erupted between protesters and security forces, who used tear gas, water cannons, rubber bullets, and batons to disperse the crowds. The excessive use of force was criticised by human rights organisations,Lebanese Security Forces Using Excessive Force against Protesters Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor https://euromedmonitor.org/en/article/914/Lebanese-security-forces-using--excessive-force-against-protesters 22 May 2025 and the events got a lot of widespread media attention.Taylor Alan Lebanon's 'You Stink' Anti-Government Protests The Atlantic 25 August 2015 https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2015/08/lebanons-youstink-anti-government-protests/402163/ 22 May 2025 23 August 2015 demonstration Lebanese army units were deployed in central Beirut after the demonstration degenerated in street fighting between protesters and law enforcement.https://edition.cnn.com/2015/08/23/asia/beirut-lebanon-garbage-clashes/ Army deployed to Beirut after anti-government anger boils over CNN Conlon Kevin Razek Raja Qiblawi Tamara 24 August 2015 The Lebanese Red Cross said it treated 402 people in Sunday's protest. About 40 people were taken to hospital.https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/24/beirut-rubbish-protesters-clash-with-police-amid-anger-at-political-paralysis Beirut rubbish protesters clash with police amid anger at political paralysis The Guardian Chulov Martin Shaheen Kareem 24 August 2015 Ambulances ferried out casualties after security forces fired tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannon at demonstrators protesting against what they call Lebanon's "political dysfunction".https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-34031208 Beirut rubbish protesters clash with police BBC News 22 August 2015 About 200 youths, some wearing scarves or masks to cover their faces, threw stones and bottles filled with sand at police and tried to pull down security barricades.http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/08/injured-beirut-stink-protest-rubbish-150822203615018.html Many injured in Beirut 'You Stink' protest over rubbish Aljazeera 23 August 2015 Some demonstrators burnt fires. A tree next to a church was set ablaze, road signs were pulled from the ground and shop fronts smashed.https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lebanon-crisis-politics-idUSKCN0QS0K420150823 Beirut protests turn violent for second day as PM threatens to quit Reuters Bassam Laila Perry Tom 23 August 2015 The protest, organised by an online group "You Stink!" along with other civil society groups,https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/24/world/middleeast/lebanese-protest-as-trash-piles-up-in-beirut.html Clashes Break Out During Protests Over Trash Crisis in Lebanon The New York Times Saad Hwaida Hwaida Saad 23 August 2015 attracted an estimated 20000https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2015/08/29/rights-group-urges-inquiry-into-lebanon-protest-dispersal?page=2 Thousands of Lebanese protesters stage largest anti-government protest yet over trash crisis U.S. News & World Report El Deeb Sarah Karam Zeina Zeina Karam 29 August 2015 people on the streets of Riad El Solh Square in central Beirut. By 29 August, more than 100.000 Lebanese took to the streets to manifest against the government's corruption. It began as small protest, but it has soon proved to become an uprising, with many protesters calling for a revolution.Rubbish Revolution https://chronicle.fanack.com/lebanon/history-past-to-present/rubbish-revolution/ Fanack.com 8 August 2016 22 February 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160222052301/https://chronicle.fanack.com/lebanon/history-past-to-present/rubbish-revolution/ dead September 2015: Escalation and Demands In the beginning of September the protestors of the movement made a list of demands. Investigations into police violence, early parliamentary elections, and the resignation of the Environment Minister were on the list of demands.Assi Abbas Lebanon's Protest Movements Friedrich Naumann Foundation 2021 https://www.freiheit.org/sites/default/files/2021-06/abbas-assi-lebanons-protest-movements.pdf 22 May 2025 The movement kept its momentum and internal conflicts arose over tactics and goals. Most of the protests went well and were peaceful, however certain groups called for more radical measures, which now and then resulted in clashes. October–December 2015: Movement Plateaus Protest fatigue, government inaction, and internal activist disputes all contributed to the protest movement's decline by the end of 2015.Kraidy Marwan M. Trashing the Sectarian System? Lebanon's YouStink Movement and the Imaginative Politics of Disorder Middle East Critique 27 2 2018 129–144 10.1080/19436149.2018.1539665 28 October 2025 Limited waste removal efforts were initiated by authorities, for example storing garbage under bridges and in temporary sites. In light of this, a political campaign called Beirut Marinati was launched, with the goal of directing civil engagement into local government.Scattered Victories and Building an Opposition Movement Humena https://humena.org/blogs/scattered-victories-and-building-an-opposition-movement/ 22 May 2025 2016: Institutional Responses and Aftermath In 2016, allegations of corruption and financial and logistical challenges caused the collapse of a proposed waste export plan by the government.Lebanon Events 2015 ReliefWeb February 2016 https://reliefweb.int/report/lebanon/lebanon-events-2015-enar 22 May 2025 Although complete waste management improvement were not put into place, some other landfills were eventually reopened. Even though the intentional goals were not achieved by the "You Stink" movement, their actions had a lasting impact on the civil society in Lebanon and set the stage for future civic mobilisations.Lebanon's You Stink Protests – Special Coverage Global Voices https://globalvoices.org/specialcoverage/2015-special-coverage/lebanons-you-stink-protests/ 22 May 2025 Role of Women Women had a significant and visible role in the Women in the "You Stink" movement, both participating and organizing. Women were leading marches, coordinating logistics, running social media campaigns and speaking publicly expressing key demands.Nasrallah, Monique M. "That Stinks: News Framing of a Corruption Scandal in Lebanon." University of Washington, 2017. UW ResearchWorks While it wasn't the first time female activism was seen in Lebanese society, the "You Stink" movement significantly changed how women used their right to protest. They not only defended their own rights, but also protested against violence of the state, institutional corruption and structural patriarchy.Abu-Rish, Ziad. "Garbage Politics." Middle East Report, no. 277 (2015). merip.org During the protests a unique "civic laboratory" was seen, in which gender norms were actively discussed and challenged, according to political analyst Marwan Kraidy.Kraidy, Marwan M. "Trashing the Sectarian System?" Communication and the Public, vol. 1, no. 1 (2016): 19–26. sagepub.com Female protesters took their place at the frontlines during confrontations with security forces, strategically using their presence and reducing the likelihood of a violent escalation.Global Voices. "Lebanon’s ‘You Stink’ Protests." 2015. globalvoices.org Nevertheless, activists also pointed to ongoing challenges. Feminist groups such as the Lebanese Women's Democratic Gathering (RDFL) criticised the limited inclusion of explicitly gender-focused demands in the "You Stink" movement, stating that corruption and sectarianism were intertwined with patriarchy and gender inequality.Humena. "Scattered Victories and Building an Opposition Movement." 2021. humena.org Political scientist Abbas Assi noted that, while the movement succeeded in various aspects, it did not lead to structural changes for feminist agenda's.Assi, Abbas. Lebanon’s Protest Movements. Friedrich Naumann Foundation, 2021. freiheit.org Despite these tensions, the visibility and participation of women in the 2015–2016 protests played an important role in laying the groundwork for future feminist activism in Lebanon. Many women who had actively participated in the You Stink movement later became key figures in the October 2019 uprising where activism for gender justice was more integrated into the protests.Challand, Benoît. "Reframing Protests in the Arab Region." Mediterranean Politics, vol. 24, no. 5, 2018, pp. 617–624. Taylor & Francis Political Reactions Many people felt that the first reaction of the Lebanese government was insufficient and disconnected. In addition to expressing compassion for the protesters, Prime Minister Tammam Salam denounced the violent events that took place during the rallies on August 22 and 23, 2015."Lebanon: Events 2015." ReliefWeb. reliefweb.int In the days that followed, he publicly admitted that the government was effectively paralyzed and warned that Lebanon was on the verge of collapse unless political consensus could be reached.Assi, Abbas. Lebanon’s Protest Movements. Friedrich Naumann Foundation, 2021. freiheit.org During the height of the protests, the Free Patriotic Movement and Hezbollah largely refrained from commenting, while other political actors, including the Kataeb Party and some independent members of parliament, voiced support for the demonstrators’ demands.Beck, Martin. "Contextualizing the Current Social Protest Movement in Lebanon." University of Southern Denmark, 2015. sdu.dk Interior Minister Nohad Machnouk initially denied reports of excessive force used by police, but later announced an internal investigation after widespread footage of police violence was circulated on social media.Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor. "Lebanese security forces using excessive force." euromedmonitor.org The Speaker of Parliament, Nabih Berri, criticised the protest movement for its lack of workable ideas while acknowledging the gravity of the garbage situation. He argued that genuine reform would have to come through existing parliamentary procedures.Abu-Rish, Ziad. "Garbage Politics." Middle East Report, no. 277 (2015). merip.org Foreign governments and international organisations made statements as part of the global responses. The United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon asked for inclusive dialogue and more response to residents' concerns, while nations like the United States and Germany stressed the importance of protecting the right to protest peacefully.Global Voices. "Lebanon’s ‘You Stink’ Protests." globalvoices.org Even though the protests did not lead to a major structural reformation, they did stimulate some limited official action. The Ministry of Environment initiated a proposal to export waste abroad, but eventually it was put off because of logistical issues and corruption claims.Nasrallah, Monique M. "That Stinks: News Framing of a Corruption Scandal in Lebanon." University of Washington, 2017. UW ResearchWorksThe Atlantic. "Lebanon’s ‘You Stink’ Anti-Government Protests." theatlantic.com According to academics, the movement's capacity to bring about significant change was obstructed by the firmly ingrained sectarian framework of Lebanon's political system. However, the protests upset the political establishment and demonstrated the disruptive power of cross-sectarian citizen mobilisation.Kraidy, Marwan M. "Trashing the Sectarian System?" Communication and the Public, vol. 1, no. 1 (2016): 19–26. sagepub.com Legacy and Impact thumb|right|2016 VOA report about activist clowns protesting the crisis The "You Stink" movement had a long lasting impact on the public discourse, protest culture and Lebanon's civil society.Abu-Rish, Ziad. "Garbage Politics." Middle East Report, no. 277 (2015). merip.org Academics and observers often see the protests as a turning point in Lebanese civic involvement, particularly for mobilising cross-sectarian and issue-driven action that directly confronted the country's entrenched sectarian political structure.Challand, Benoît. "Reframing Protests in the Arab Region." Mediterranean Politics, vol. 24, no. 5 (2018): 617–624. Taylor & Francis One notable outcome of the movement was the creation of Beirut Madinati, an electoral campaign composed of activists, professionals, and independent candidates—many of whom had participated in or were inspired by the protests. In the 2016 municipal elections, the campaign gained widespread support, securing around 40% of the vote despite strong opposition from well-established sectarian political alliances.Assi, Abbas. Lebanon’s Protest Movements. Friedrich Naumann Foundation, 2021. freiheit.org Additionally, the movement prepared the ground for the broader wave of nationwide protests known as the 2019–2021 Lebanese protests. As protesters demanded accountability, transparency, and an end to sectarian clientelism in 2019, many of the strategies catchphrases, and personalities from the "You Stink" movement reappeared.Humena. "Scattered Victories and Building an Opposition Movement." 2021. humena.org Along with its organisational and political effects, the movement influenced a larger public discussion over governance, corruption, and public service delivery. The waste crisis garnered more media attention. Attention, which aided in the advancement of investigative journalism and civil control of public procurement and spending.Nasrallah, Monique M. "That Stinks: News Framing of a Corruption Scandal in Lebanon." University of Washington, 2017. UW ResearchWorks Demands for increased transparency and more robust legal frameworks for accountability were stoked by these developments.Kraidy, Marwan M. "Trashing the Sectarian System?" Communication and the Public, vol. 1, no. 1 (2016): 19–26. sagepub.com In terms of culture, the protests contributed to the acceptance of civil disobedience and open protest as acceptable modes of expression. The movement's protest art, music and satire remained relevant in Lebanese popular culture, particularly among younger generations.The Atlantic. "Lebanon’s ‘You Stink’ Anti-Government Protests." August 2015. theatlantic.com Many people consider the "You Stink" movement to be a noteworthy example of grassroots mobilisation in the Arab area, despite internal conflicts and a slow loss of momentum. In addition to highlighting the potential and constraints of civil society movements functioning inside highly sectarian systems, it signaled a significant change in the Lebanese public's readiness to oppose political elites outside of established party systems.Beck, Martin. "Contextualizing the Current Social Protest Movement in Lebanon." University of Southern Denmark, 2015. sdu.dk See also 2019–2021 Lebanese protests Cedar Revolution 2006–2008 Lebanese protests 2011 Lebanese protests List of protests in the 21st century References 32em Category:2015 in Lebanon Category:2015 protests Category:2016 in Lebanon Category:2016 protests Category:Aftermath of the Arab Spring Category:Protests in Lebanon Category:Waste management