Protests erupt in downtown Tunis

The smell of teargas returned to downtown Tunis today as clashes erupted between police and demonstrators on the roads leading to Avenue Habib Bourguiba on the occasion of Martyrs’ Day.

Despite the decision of the Tunisian Ministry of Interior to ban protests in Habib Bourguiba Avenue, hundreds of protestors from different civil society organizations were determined to reiterate their commitment to the cause of the martyrs and the victims of the Tunisian Revolution.

Policemen used batons and tear gas to disperse the protesters as they attempted to reach Habib Bourguiba Avenue. At one point, the protestors managed to reach the level of Africa Hotel, on the same avenue, before being pushed back by police.

Protestors were chanting the National Anthem and “Faithful to the blood of martyrs”. But as police tried to prevent them from marching through the Avenue, they started chanting slogans like “the Ministry of Interior is a terrorist ministry”, “Arayadh[Tunisian minister of interior] you are a coward, Tunisian people are not to be humiliated.”

At one stage, police formed a human wall and tried to prevent protesters from

Policemen trying to prevent protesters from reaching the Ministry of Interior

reaching the Ministry of Interior, “the symbol of terrorism,” as one protestor called it.

Police did not stop at Habib Bourguiba Avenue but kept chasing protestors through Paris Avenue, Marseille Avenue and Rue de Rome.

The Police were shouting and threatening with batons even civilians. Several protesters were seen being led away from police, but it is unclear at this stage if any arrests have been made. The protests are ongoing.