Posts Tagged ‘tunisia protest rap’
Rap star El Général turns spotlight on Tunisian regime
Posted on January 14th, 2011 in News by Songlines.
Tunisian police arrested 22-year-old rapper Hamada Ben-Amor on January 7 in Sfax amidst the unrest that led to the fall of dictator Ben-Ali’s 23-year reign.
In the first week of January, Ben-Amor released the song ‘Rais le bled’ (President, Your Country) over the internet. It addresses the problems of youth unemployment, despair and human rights abuses that have built up over decades of repressive one-party rule.
The protests began after a 26-year-old graduate immolated himself in the central town of Sidi Bouzid after being harassed by police for trying to sell fruit and vegetables without a permit.
The protests were met with deadly force by police, but spread to towns and cities across Tunisia and included lawyers, trade unionists and the banned political opposition.
As the unrest grew out of control, Ben-Amor was released on January 10 and Ben-Ali fled the country on January 15, taking refuge in Saudi Arabia. However, with his presidential guard loyalists battling the army on the streets and his ruling RCD party still holding control of the government, the future is uncertain.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sd9J4O6z0-c
