Jordanians Protest Fuel-Subsidy Cut, Demand King’s Ouster

[Purveyor]

Source: Bloomberg

Thousands of Jordanians rallied around the country for a third day against the government’s decision to cut subsidies on fuel, with some demanding the ouster of King Abdullah II.

Security forces in Amman prevented protesters from marching to the royal court from Al Husseini mosque after the Friday sermon. While the demonstration broke up, protesters announced plans to continue the rally tonight outside the Ministry of Interior at the Dakhlia circle. Police barricaded the circle and are refusing entry to the area.

--CLIP
Rallying Cry

Some protesters today called for the king and Ensour to quit, chanting “Down with corrupt government,” “Down with Ensour” and “Down with the regime” -- the rallying cry of the Arab Spring uprisings.

The Obama administration recognizes the difficult situation of Jordan and respects the rights of people to protest peacefully, the state-run Petra news agency reported, citing Mark Toner, deputy State Department spokesman. The “reformatory road-map King Abdullah has provided responds to” Jordanians’ financial and political concerns and their aspirations, Toner said, according to Petra.

Read more: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-11-16/jordanians-plan-protest-in-amman-over-cut-in-fuel-subsidy.html

[Deep13]

1. Wow.

I would not have guessed that. Everything seemed so peaceful and normal in Jordan when I was there last summer.