Lebanon Does Its Own Les Miserables Adaptation

Protesters strike near Lebanon’s Central Bank in Hamra on February 25, 2013. (Photo courtesy of Samer Karam)

The Syndicate Coordination Committee (SCC) is not backing down, as it enters week two of an open-ended strike to protest the government’s delay in approving a plan to fund a wage increase for public sector employees.

The Daily Star newspaper reports that riot police were out in full force as hundreds of protesters gathered near the Central Bank of Lebanon in Hamra Monday morning.

The head of the private school teachers association, Nehme Mahfoud, told the National News Agency that 90 percent of public and private schools in Lebanon were closed Monday in solidarity with the strike.

The SCC says it’s planning to stage a sit-in Tuesday near the Economy Ministry in downtown Beirut.

It’s happening people. Les Miserable is so hot right now. We’re just a choreographed power ballad away from all-out revolution. Do you hear the people sing? Singing the song of angry men?