By: Nadwa Al-Dawsari

Yemeni Civil Society Activist

Dec 23, 2011

Just in time when many thought that the protests movement has lost its momentum, the protesters in Taiz decided to take it to a next level. They are starting cross-country on foot marches to reaffirm that the uprising is still thriving and will continue until all demands to end the regime are met.

Protesters departed from the Freedom Square in Taiz in the morning of Nov 20^th on foot aiming at Sanaa. The march is planned to cover more than 250 kilometers across rough mountains and under harsh weather conditions. The idea behind the March is to connect with other Change and Freedom Squares in the country and in the organizers’ own words to “renew energy” and inform the world that the youth and people of Yemen will reject any deal that maintains the current regime and guarantees immunity for those involved in crimes against peaceful protesters and stealing the wealth of the country. As the march progressed, protesters from Ibb, Yareem, Dhamar, Albaidha, Radaa, Adhalee and Sanaa joined in.

Although neglected in Western media, the Life March has received extensive converge in local media, facebook and twitter pages and great support throughout the places it passed by. In the cities of Ibb and Dhamar, participants of the march were met with great hospitality. Local people slaughtered tens of cows and prepared feasts and local women made cookies.  It is reported that a local woman in Yareem donated one million YR (about YR4500) to the march. “They are like candles which burn themselves to provide light for others”, says a local woman in Yareem about the Life March protesters.

Although neglected in Western media, the Life March has received extensive converge in local media, facebook and twitter pages and great support throughout the places it passed by.

Continue reading the article at Nadwa’s blog

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