Anti-govt demonstrations in Jordan

Demonstrators took to the streets today in the majority of Jordanian governorates today. Demonstrators demanded reforms and the end of corruption, in addition to the departure of Marouf al-Bakhit’s government and the dissolution of the House of Representatives. No known demonstrations took place in the capital, Amman. Dozens of Jordanians in the governorate of Madaba protested in front of Al Hamad mosque in the city centre, demanding political, economical and social reforms. Demonstrators stressed that dignity, freedom and needs of citizens are a “red line” that cannot be crossed. They also held up banners calling for the fight against corruption and the prosecution of corrupt officials, no matter their rank. The governorate of Mafraq witnessed a sit-in on Friday, the first of its kind in the province. The demands there were no different to those of other demonstrators across the country. Chants went up against the selling of the nation’s resources and calling for the trial of the corrupt that benefit at the expense of the nation. The activists also questioned how the international aid the government receives is spent and accused them of using it for their own expenses. The situation was not any different in the governorate of Dhiban, where demonstrators chanted: “With corruption present, everyone pays the price,” and “Oh Bakhit rest rest, the nation wants reforms.” In the governorate of Tafila, hundreds took to the streets in a mass protest after the Friday prayer at the Grand Mosque, marching towards the town center.  There one could hear calls for the acceleration of achieving real reforms, political before economical reforms and fighting corruption.  The demonstrators held banners that read; “Breaking news: the people want the system to reform,” and “We want the government of Wasfi Al-Tal,” and “The land of the nation returns to them,” and “Rampant corruption and the reform of shame,” and “Security forces enemies of democracy,” and “Shahin and Bakhit where did all the millions go,” and “No commissions no dialogue,” and “People want to be a partner in decision-making,” and “The people want reform of the system.” In the governorate of Al-Karak demonstrations, which also took off after Friday prayers from the Grand Marj Mosque, the citizens had the same demands as the other governorates and said that the government is not serious about reform.