Let it be known far and wide, let the pots and pans clanging sound resonate high and low, that on the 17th of October 2019, Lebanon set itself free.

Free from the clutches of sectarianism,

Free from the hypocrisy of the rich feeding off the poor man’s bread,

Free from a tyrant political class that bled this country dry.

Let it be known that the Lebanese from far South to the far North chanted together in the name of brotherly freedom, in love and unison, “nihna el sha3b el khatt el ahmar” (we the people, are where the red line is drawn). These words captured in time will echo forever. Tripoli, Beqaa, Beirut, Saida, Sour, Nabatieh, Jal el dib, Aqaar, Khalde, Baalbek, Zahle,… all reached out to one another as one nation with one nationality under the Lebanese flag, demanding change, demanding basic human rights to live in a country of their own making, a country they yearn for, a country free of pollution, a country that has electricity and clean running water, a country with public transport, a country that takes care of its sick and of its elderly, a country that can educate its lowest denominator, and most pertinently a country that is free to think for itself.

What makes a nation’s pillars high and its foundations strong?

What makes it mighty to defy? The will of its people, the youths of Lebanon have chanted back in magnificent loudspeaker squeaky sounds.

It is for us to know now that the things that haven’t been done before, those are the things to try. The things that haven’t been done before are the tasks worthwhile today; and we shall lead the way. No more beaten down souls that quail shall roam the streets at the jeers of a doubting crew. We shall dare, whether we win or fail to strike out for a goal that’s new, to claim this little nation for our own and build it back brick by brick to what it was once known.

Today on the 22nd of November 2019, we shall stand united in every part of this country with pots and pans, candles and hope under the Lebanese flag claiming our independence for the first time.

Red for the blood shed in the name of Freedom, for which we fought united. White for the peace we wish to share, all men created equal, and the cedar for the roots we will build here, right here where we stand!

Live bravely, you unconquerable Lebanese souls.

 3ishtom wa 3asha Loubnan (may you live, and may Lebanon live)

In memory of Hussein and Alaa (both killed during the revolution)

Cover Painting by Tom Young

Some pictures below are taken from the internet