Syrians Call For Facebook Revolution

SMN No. 13, February 2, 2011

Following the recent revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt, Syrians have launched a number of Facebook pages calling for change in Syria and organising protest events.

One group, entitled “The Day of Syrian Rage” and with some 200 members, called for a “popular movement against injustice, corruption and tyranny by the Syrian authorities” through peaceful protest in different cities around the country and in front of Syrian embassies worldwide on February 5.

Another group, supported by some 150 Facebook, was formed under the title “An invitation to walk [taking] the approach of Tunisia and Egypt in the quest for freedom and democracy” and also named February 5 the day of action.
Yet another group called for a peaceful protest in front of the Syrian parliament on the same day.

The Facebook groups include demands for everything from constitutional change to ending the state of emergency and even the departure of the regime itself.

One page, with 250 members, called for a peaceful protest in main square of Aleppo on February 25, focusing on local demands such as helping residents find work in their city.

However, a human rights activist told Damascus Bureau, “Most people who call for those protests are opponents outside Syria, who do not have the popular ground or the ability to communicate with different segments of the Syrians, in addition to the high expectations of demands they call for.

“Facebook use is still not prevalent among many Syrians, and so far limited to a small group of them compared to census numbers, and even to the Syrians who use the Internet in general,” he added.

But the activist added that that “the Facebook revolutions which started in other countries will not stay away from Syria, and that what is happening may be the start of the ability of the Syrians to organise themselves and their protest activities across the arena of Facebook and the virtual world.”

Meanwhile, a pro-regime page with some 130 members was set up calling for marches in support of the Syrian regime and its president on the same date as the “ Day of Rage” in Damascus, Latakia and Hasaka.

Pro-regime activists also left messages on the walls of the protest groups. One wrote, “We have one god, one people and one leader,” while another warned those who called for protest, “We love President Bashar [al Assad] and are ready to sacrifice our lives for him.”
Other messages expressed fear over lawlessness and looting in Egypt during the current protests.

Another event with some 200 members was listed for February 10.