2011–2012 Jordanian protests: Difference between revisions

{{*}}[[Trade union]]s<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jan/15/jordanians-protest-over-food-prices|title=Jordanians protest against soaring food prices|authorlast=Johnny McDevitt|first=Johnny|work=[[The Guardian]]|location=London|date=15 January 2011}}</ref>

However, evidence of historical and recent protests suggests that the backbone of the protests are of peninsular Arabic speaking Jordanians disfranchised by liberal economic policies instituted in the country during the last decades.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.riskandforecast.com/post/dubai/east-bank-jordanians-demonstrate-as-king-announces-plans-for-reforms_715.html |title=East Bank Jordanians demonstrate as King announces plans for reforms|publisher=Risk and Forecast|accessdate=14 March 2013}}</ref> Specifically, previous mass protests include protests in 1989 in the city of [[Al Karak|Karak]] and other southern towns in the country known as April 1989 uprising (هبة نيسان) that led to reintroduction of democratic life.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://jordantimes.com/activists-to-mark-1989-uprising|title=Activists to mark 1989 ‘uprising’|newspaper=The Jordan Times|date=19 April 2012|accessdate=14 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130327035508/http://jordantimes.com/activists-to-mark-1989-uprising|archive-date=27 March 2013|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> In 1996, bread riots erupted in Ma'an and other southern cities in Jordan as well.<ref>[libres.uncg.edu/ir/asu/f/Ryan_C_1998_Peace.pdf]</ref> Both are predominantly of peninsular Arabic speaking Jordanian origins. More recently, the 2011–2012 uprising started with movements all over the country specially in towns with a predominantly east-Jordanian population known locally as Al-Hirak.<ref name=Kirkpatrick>{{cite news|last=Kirkpatrick|first=David D.|title=Jordan Protesters Dream of Shift to King’s Brother|work=The New York Times|page=4|date=22 November 2012|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/22/world/middleeast/jordan-protesters-dream-of-shift-to-prince-hamzah.html}}</ref> Therefore, according to many analysts while protests in Amman might generates a media buzz about a revolution in Jordan, but discontent in rural Jordan among peninsular Arabic speaking Jordanians is what would really tip the scales.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2012/1218/If-change-comes-to-Jordan-it-won-t-start-in-Amman|title=If change comes to Jordan, it won't start in Amman|newspaper=CS Monitor|date=18 December 2012|accessdate=14 March 2013}}</ref> Regardless of identity and demographic sensitivities both groups tend to agree on the need for a more robust economy and a cure for Jordan’sJordan's crippling unemployment. However, many argue that the sensitive demographic balance in the country will ultimately decide how wide and deep political reforms will go.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.pbs.org/wnet/need-to-know/the-daily-need/dont-expect-sweeping-reforms-in-jordan-former-ambassador-cautions/6997/ |title=Don’t expect sweeping reforms in Jordan, former ambassador cautions|newspaper=PBS|date=3 February 2011|accessdate=14 March 2013}}</ref>

In December, there were protests in Amman,<ref>[http://jordantimes.com/friday-protesters--to-demand-return-of-public-lands Friday protesters to demand return of public lands] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111225004055/http://jordantimes.com/friday-protesters--to-demand-return-of-public-lands |date=25 December 2011 }}. ''The Jordan Times'' (22 December 2011).</ref> and riots in the northeastern cities of Mafraq<ref>[http://jordantimes.com/calm-restored-after-clashes-in-mafraq "Calm restored after clashes in Mafraq"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111225005416/http://jordantimes.com/calm-restored-after-clashes-in-mafraq |date=25 December 2011 }}. ''The Jordan Times'', (23 December 2011).</ref> and Qatraneh.<ref>[http://signalfire.org/?p=16393 Calm restored in Qatraneh « Signalfire]. Signalfire.org.</ref>

On early 8 September, Jordanian anti-riot forces stormed a protest in the southern city of [[Tafileh]] after participants began chanting slogans reportedly criticizing [[King Abdullah II]]. According to eyewitnesses and activists, authorities fired tear gas and live rounds to disperse a group of some 60 protesters after activists began chanting slogans insulting the monarch, arresting 15 participants. A Jordanian security source confirmed that police arrested 15 protesters who currently face charges of attempting to "undermine the regime" and "incite a riot."<ref>{{cite news|last=Gavlak |first=Dale |title=Jordan: 8 activists charged for slandering king |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gWeu9odqYYXsuvrMpgSd6bYOnIlg?docId=35e6882ce8d446e2b0ee3d6b2c95e7e9 |accessdate=10 September 2012 |agency=Associated Press |date=10 September 2012 }}{{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Jordanian security officials refused to disclose the anti-King slogans allegedly chanted by protesters. Activists contend that their rally was peaceful prior to the riot forces’ storming. Tafileh residents had organised the rally to protest the detention of local activist Mohammed Al Amaara, who was arrested hours earlier for reportedly making statement criticising [[Queen Rania]] during an anti-government protest following Friday noon prayers. The clashes came as activists took to the streets in nine of Jordan’sJordan's 12 provinces on Friday in a series of anti-government rallies urging Prime Minister [[Fayez Tarawneh]] to step down for a recent rise in fuel and water prices.<ref>{{cite news|title=Clashes, arrests after protesters criticise Jordan King|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/article3873993.ece|accessdate=10 September 2012|date=8 September 2012}}</ref>

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=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-jordan-raises-fuel-prices-sparking-protests-2012nov13-story.html|accessdate=26 February 2018 |agency=[[Associated Press]] |publisher=San Diego Union-Tribune |date=13 November 2012 }}</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’sking'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.

On 16 November, thousands of demonstrators chanted the [[Arab Spring]] slogan "[[Ash-shab yurid isqat an-nizam|The people want to overthrow the regime]]" in the nationwide Jordan after Friday prayers, with escalating calls for Jordan's King Abdullah II to abdicate. Friday's protest near the main [[Al-Hussein Mosque]] in downtown [[Amman]] was peaceful, with unarmed police separating the demonstrators denouncing the ruler from a smaller crowd chanting in support of the monarch. The main crowd of about 3,000 protesters chanted "Go down Abdullah, go down," as police, some in riot gear, largely stayed away from crowd.<ref>{{cite news|title=Jordan protesters call for 'downfall of the regime'|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/16/us-jordan-protests-idUSBRE8AF1KP20121116|accessdate=18 November 2012|agency=[[Reuters]]|date=16 November 2012}}</ref> However, Abdullah loyalists clashed with anti-government protesters near the city's [[Wasfi al-Tal]] square on Friday night, with dozens of protesters reportedly being beaten by the king's supporters.<ref>{{cite news|title=Jordan unrest: Clashes after fuel protest|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-20373021|accessdate=18 November 2012|newspaper=BBC|date=16 November 2012}}</ref> The ''[[Agence France-Presse|AFP]]'' news agency estimated at around 10,000 people, including [[Islamist]]s, [[leftist]]s and youth activists, chanted "Freedom, freedom, down with Abdullah." Demonstrations were also held just outside Amman in the Baqa'a Palestinian refugee camp and in the cities of Tafilah, Karak, Ma'an, Irbid and Jerash to its north.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hattar |first=Musa |title=Jordan protesters call for 'downfall of the regime' |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5ifoYXWSuhevKlPejxXvheMZCxgeQ?docId=CNG.2cf3bc7be53e2f556cc0a63105c9224a.641 |accessdate=18 November 2012 |agency=[[Agence France-Presse]] |publisher=[[Google News]]) |date=16 November 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130222103509/https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5ifoYXWSuhevKlPejxXvheMZCxgeQ?docId=CNG.2cf3bc7be53e2f556cc0a63105c9224a.641 |archivedate=22 February 2013 }}</ref> Amid unprecedented protests by Jordanians calling for him to quit, King Abdullah II has cancelled a visit to United Kingdom he was due to make next week.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hattar|first=Musa|title=Jordan’s king cancels Britain visit amid protests|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/international/jordans-king-cancels-britain-visit-amid-protests/article4105074.ece|accessdate=18 November 2012|newspaper=[[Business Line]]|date=16 November 2012}}</ref>