Struggling for some food
Photo: AP
Jordanians turn to Facebook to protest rising food prices
Young Jordanians use social online network to call for general strike in protest of skyrocketing prices
As anger grows across the Middle East in the wake of a dramatic rise in food prices, young Jordanians have turned to Facebook in their struggle against the food crisis.
At least 6,000 Jordanians signed an online petition on the popular social network within a day, after a message called on Jordanians to strike in solidarity with Egyptians who are also protesting the rising food prices.
"For the sake of solidarity with our brothers who are striking in Egypt, let's strike on May 4th. We will hold a general strike and stay at home until 11 a.m.," the message read. "We are not talking about a political protest, but rather, popular, popular, popular!"
The young Jordanians characterized their struggle as an effort to change the Middle East and see it reborn. London-based Arabic-language newspaper al-Quds al-Arabi, which reported about the Facebook campaign, said that Jordanians were not calling for demonstrations or rallies, but rather, a civilized expression of protest, using pleasant tactics.
Meanwhile, Egyptians are planning to protest the skyrocketing food prices on May 4th – President Mubarak's 80th birthday. Several weeks ago, the crisis in supplying subsidized pita bread prompted long lines and led to violence and casualties.
