Why Were the Saudi Streets So Quiet? (Because Protest is illegal in Saudi Arabia.)
(I don't know about you, but I needed this reminder.)
Published on Monday, May 22, 2017
by Medea Benjamin
With the world’s media focused on President Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia, it’s curious that the streets of Riyadh were so empty. Unlike most of Trump’s public appearances, there was not a protester in sight.
While Mexicans pour out on the streets to protest Trump’s anti-immigrant policies, bashing Trump piñatas and burning U.S. flags, there was nary a Saudi protester chanting “Trump: Go home.” In this very religious country, no one seemed interested in demonstrating opposition to Trump’s derogatory comments about Islam nor his attempts to impose a Muslim ban back home….
Oh yeah, silly me. I forgot. Protest is illegal in the kingdom. It’s also against the law to “distort the reputation of the kingdom” or “break allegiance with the ruler.” A 2014 anti-terrorism law treats virtually all free expression as acts of terrorism, including “calling for atheist thought”; “contacting groups or individuals opposed to the Kingdom”; and “seeking to disrupt national unity” by calling for protests. People who dare dissent are publicly flogged, tortured in prison, and sometimes publicly beheaded.
Thanks to U.S. weapons makers and arms deals signed with successive U.S. presidents, the Saudi rulers have more firepower than they could ever need to put down any form of dissent. No wonder the streets of Riyadh were so quiet.
https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/05/22/why-were-saudi-streets-so-quiet
