Tunisians rally against “Injustice” amid growing political and economic tensions
More than 2,000 people marched through downtown Tunis on Saturday, calling for the protection of political freedoms and denouncing what they describe as worsening social and economic conditions. The demonstration — one of the largest in recent months — brought together activists, opposition figures and ordinary citizens united “against injustices,” according to organizers.
The rally was held in support of Ahmed Souab, a respected lawyer sentenced in late October to five years in prison for publicly criticizing Tunisia’s judicial system. Protesters marched for over two hours, stopping symbolically in front of the Tunisian Chemical Group’s headquarters, accused of contributing to severe pollution in Gabès, and the National Union of Tunisian Journalists (SNJT), which recently warned of “unprecedented repression” against the media.
Dressed mostly in black and carrying red ribbons, demonstrators chanted “Freedom, freedom!” and demanded the release of dozens of political opponents, journalists, lawyers and aid workers detained in recent years under accusations of conspiracy or under a controversial decree targeting so-called “false information.”
According to Saeb Souab, spokesperson for the organizing committee, Tunisia is facing a “dark moment on all fronts,” pointing to political prisoners, environmental crises, and shrinking civil liberties. The march ended near a swimming pool recently renovated on presidential orders — a gesture criticized by protesters as symbolic of President Kais Saied’s misplaced priorities.
Many demonstrators also expressed frustration over declining living standards. Tunisia has been struggling with persistent inflation — particularly high food prices — and a deteriorating public health system. “People can no longer afford basic necessities, the country is collapsing,” said Nejia Adjmi, a retired pastry worker.
Others condemned what they called a crackdown on freedom of expression, citing cases of individuals arrested for social media posts criticizing the president or government officials. Several NGOs, both local and international, have warned of a serious decline in rights and liberties since 2021.
Many participants ended the march chanting “The people want the fall of the regime,” signaling growing discontent with Saied, who consolidated sweeping powers in 2021, two years after his election.
-
11:00
-
10:45
-
10:30
-
10:15
-
10:02
-
10:00
-
09:48
-
09:45
-
09:37
-
09:25
-
09:15
-
09:10
-
09:00
-
08:45
-
08:37
-
08:30
-
08:25
-
08:15
-
08:00
-
23:59
-
23:57
-
23:45
-
23:35
-
23:23
-
23:15
-
22:58
-
22:50
-
22:40
-
22:30
-
22:25
-
22:10
-
22:00
-
21:52
-
21:40
-
21:30
-
21:20
-
21:15
-
21:00
-
20:50
-
20:35
-
20:20
-
20:10
-
20:00
-
19:51
-
19:40
-
19:35
-
19:20
-
19:10
-
19:00
-
18:50
-
18:45
-
18:32
-
18:20
-
18:15
-
18:00
-
17:50
-
17:35
-
17:20
-
17:13
-
17:12
-
17:05
-
16:50
-
16:35
-
16:20
-
16:07
-
16:05
-
16:05
-
16:04
-
15:45
-
15:30
-
15:29
-
15:15
-
15:09
-
15:00
-
14:45
-
14:30
-
14:14
-
13:56
-
13:40
-
13:20
-
13:05
-
12:45
-
12:30
-
12:15
-
12:00
-
11:45
-
11:33
-
11:30
-
11:16
-
11:15
