Yemen Joins the Ranks of Arab Protesting Countries

Around 15,000 protesters took to streets in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa on Thursday, calling for the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

The protesters are mainly university students, opposition party members and supporters, as well as some workers and the unemployed, mostly of whom complained about unemployment and poverty.

“People want to change the regime, want the president to leave, ” protesters  wore pink belts wrapped around their heads, which symbolized freedom, waving pink flags together in the largest public rallies organized by the opposition parties in four areas in the capital.

Despite the fierce anti-Saleh rhetoric, today’s demonstrations in Sanaa were peaceful and lacked a heavy police presence – unlike Egypt’s recent protests. One policeman relaxing inside his armed vehicle parked on the perimeter of one of today’s protests was preoccupied with reading the demonstrators’ pro-opposition pamphlets.

The tone of the protest in front of Sanaa University was

almost celebratory – traditional Yemeni music and dancing intermingled with opposition leaders’ speeches. Members of the political opposition spoke of the need for peaceful and democratic change, not violent revolt.

“We want real democracy, in a peaceful way. And we… Read the Full Story and Watch The Video