2011–2012 Jordanian protests: Difference between revisions

On 13 November, protests erupted across the country nationwide in response to an increase in fuel prices and other basic goods announced by Prime Minister [[Abdullah Ensour]]. Demonstrators burned tires, smashed traffic lights and blocked roads in several Jordanian cities. Riot police officers tried to quell some of the crowds with tear gas. There were calls for a general strike on Wednesday. Protesters blamed Jordan's problems on [[List of kings of Jordan|King]] [[Abdullah II of Jordan|Abdullah II]]. They also demanded the resignation of the prime minister. About 2,000 protesters chanted ""Revolution, revolution, it is a popular revolution," and "Freedom is from God, in spite of you, Abdullah," in an impromptu demonstration at a main Amman square, housing the Interior Ministry and other vital government departments. Elsewhere in [[Salt, Jordan|Salt]], 100 protesters pelted stones at policemen as they tried to break their lines to get to Ensour's home to demand his resignation. Riot police responded by firing tear gas. In some cities in Jordan's south, inhabited by tribal Bedouins who are traditional supporters of the king, hundreds of protesters took to the streets to chant slogans calling for the ouster of the prime minister, but also criticizing the king. In Mazar, dozens of protesters burned down the main court building after stealing documents. Further south in [[Ma'an]], 500 protesters blocked the streets, burning tires and throwing stones at riot police, who were firing tear gas. There were no immediate reports of injuries. In Sareeh, angry protesters burned down a gas station.<ref>{{cite news|last=Halaby |first=Jamal |title=Jordan raises fuel prices, sparking protests |url=httpshttp://www.googlesandiegouniontribune.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j40FaZ7MhFbyGxjQTzmzozRVIqXQ?docId=2da6e2e4c6534307a31b2d51db80c9e0 sdut-jordan-raises-fuel-prices-sparking-protests-2012nov13-story.html|accessdate=1526 NovemberFebruary 20122018 |agency=[[Associated Press]] |publisher=[[GoogleSan Diego Union=Tribune News]] |date=1413 November 2012 }}{{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Nationwide protests in Jordan continued for the second day. Teachers went on strike, and other unions announced a two-hour work stoppage for Sunday. The crowds included first-time protesters and tribal members who have been the king’s political base. Violence was most severe in [[Irbid]], where the authorities said a police station was attacked by armed demonstrators, leading to the fatal shooting of Qais al-Omari, 27, and injuries to a dozen police officers and four protesters. A police corporal was also injured when someone fired an automatic pistol from a moving car.

In response to the protests, foreign minister [[Nasser Judeh]] said the government had tried to respond to the opposition over the past year with the establishment of an independent elections commission before balloting set for January 2013 and the formation of a constitutional court, among other changes.<ref>{{cite news|last=Halaby |first=Jamal |title=Jordan: 1 gunman killed in police station attacks |url=httpshttp://www.googlesandiegouniontribune.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gPWfHL1JZNbsdut-jordan-1-gunman-killed-in-WisyAN3pSR4yeVNg?docId=4d9c71256bcb4f4ca5fb4bacbed93d75police-station-attacks-2012nov14-story.html |accessdate=1526 NovemberFebruary 20122018 |agency=[[Associated Press]] |publisher=[[GoogleSan News]]Diego Union-Tribune |date=14 November 2012 }}{{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Protests Over Gas Prices in Jordan Turn Deadly|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/15/world/middleeast/jordan-protests-turn-deadly-on-second-day.html?pagewanted=1|accessdate=15 November 2012|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=14 November 2012}}</ref>