By Nadia El-Ahmar.
Tripoli, 26 February 2013:
Yesterday, Monday was the second anniversary of the day Tripoli’s Tajoura district rose up against the . . .[restrict]rule of Muammar Qaddafi. At the time, the revolutionaries were quickly confronted by Qaddafi troops who fired at them, killing 25 protestors in the area around Aradah Road in Suq Al-Juma district, and injuring many others.
Yesterday’s commemorations to celebrate the victory of the people and remember those who died saw young and old, men and women, gathered on the streets of Aradah in Suq Al-Juma, welcoming a cavalcade of cars and horse men coming from Tajoura. The procession then headed on to Fashloum and eventually its final destination, Martyrs’ Square.
There were large groups of boys, fresh out of school, marching down the street, waving Libyan flags and chanting “The martyrs’ blood won’t go in vain”, while on their way to meet the crowd. At the same time, mothers of martyrs held up large pictures of their sons who died during the revolution, saying “my son is in heaven”.
As usual during Libyan celebrations, washeg (Arabic incense) was waved at those passing by on foot and in cars. Tables on the street were full of fruit juice and water to quench the thirst of the marchers.
When the procession finally reached Martyrs’ Square, fireworks exploded and Chinese lanterns were let off into the sky. One woman in the crowd said was heard to say: “We will always remember those who died for our freedom.” [/restrict]
