Introduction
As part of widespread calls on Facebook for opposition activity against the Arab leaders, numerous Facebook groups and accounts were created calling for popular intifada throughout the Arab world, including Yemen, Bahrain, Libya, and Algeria. The pages called for non-violent and apolitical demonstrations, with some of them providing precise instructions regarding how to behave during the demonstrations.
Following are examples of some of the pages that appeared on the social network:
Day of Rage in Yemen on February 3
A day of rage is being planned in Yemen for February 3, 2011. One of the Facebook pages on the topic said: "O, Yemeni people, we will prepare for a non-violent popular demonstration [on February 3]. The demonstration is not affiliated with any political organization or religious sect. We ask that you help us to publicize this page."[1] Another page provided instructions on how to behave during the course of the demonstrations: not to descend into anarchy, to treat police officers respectfully, and to avoid any expressions of political or sectarian affiliation and to chant unified slogans condemning oppression and tyranny.[2] Following are examples of Facebook pages launched in anticipation of the demonstrations planned in Yemen:
"Day of Rage in Yemen, February 3"
"Day of Rage in Yemen, February 3"
"Freedom Day, February 3"
A Picture Posted to the Above Page
A day of rage is being planned in South Yemen for February 11, 2011. Following is a Facebook page launched to support the cause:
"The February 11 Intifada in the South"
http://www.facebook.com/February11PopularAnger
Day of Rage in Bahrain on February 14
Demonstrations are being planned in Bahrain for February 14, 2011. One of the Facebook pages launched in support of the cause claimed that the popular uprising slated for this date would demand quick political reforms and improved living conditions for all citizens without discrimination.[3] According to another page, the demonstrators' goals were judicial independence, elections for the Shura Council, representation for all sects in the government ministries, the restoration of seized lands and property, and the release of all political prisoners.[4] Following are some examples of Facebook pages created in anticipation of the demonstrations:
"February 14, 2011, Revolution Day in Bahrain"
"Day of Rage in Bahrain, February 14"
http://www.facebook.com/pages/ywm-alghdb-fy-albhryn-14-fbrayr/184881771544525
"February 14, Bahraini Day of Rage"
"February 14 Revolution, Day of Rage in Bahrain"
http://www.facebook.com/pages/thwrt-14-fbrayr-ywm-alghdb-fy-albhryn/195630250462820
Day of Rage in Libya, February 17
A day of rage is planned in Libya for February 17, 2011, against Libyan leader Mu'ammar Al-Qadhafi. Facebook pages launched in support of the cause called on users to go out into the streets en masse to join in protest demonstrations. A communiqué appeared on various such pages that said: "Together, we will take part in creating a bright future for a free Libya. Our, the youth's, goal, is to live a life of honor, like the people in the oil countries, which respect their citizens and provide them with all the welfare services, such as housing, work and a value for human of life." The communiqué called for the mobilization of as many people as possible to participate in the demonstrations, and asked participants not to resort to violence and to use unified slogans that reflected their Libyan identity, rather than sectarian or party slogans. It likewise explained how to avoid being hit by tear gas, and what to do if hit.[5] Following are examples of the pages launched for the cause:
"The February 17, 2011 Intifada – Let Us Make It a Day of Rage in Libya"
http://www.facebook.com/17022011libya
"The People Want to Topple the Regime – Libya, February 17"
"The Great Libyan Youth Are Revolting against Qadhafi the Dictator"
http://www.facebook.com/pages/shbab-lybya-alzym-ythwr-ly-alqdhafy-aldktatwr/177530102284922
Pictures from Facebook Pages Launched in Anticipation of the Libyan Day of Rage
Libya Next in Line after Egypt and Tunisia
"Revolution for Libya"
http://www.facebook.com/17022011libya#!/photo.php?fbid=107204229356483&set=o.197898230226131
"Liberation Day, February 17"
Facebook Pages Opposed to the Demonstrations, In Favor of Al-Qadhafi
In response, Facebook pages were created expressing opposition to the planned demonstrations and in support of Al-Qadhafi. Following are some examples:
"Against February 17 and the Attempt by the Malicious to Sow Civil War"
"The Security of Libya and the Libyans Is a Red Line"
http://www.facebook.com/pages/amn-lybya-wallybyyn-kht-ahmr/150673284986214
Days of Rage in Algeria throughout February
Demonstrations in Algeria are being planned for February 4, 11, 17 and 25, in support of which several Facebook pages were created. Following are examples:
"The Algerian Day of Rage, February 4 and 11. Spread [the Word] as Much as You Love Your Homeland"
"The Algerian Day of Rage, February 17"
This page also contains information about the Libyan day of rage planned for the same day.
http://www.facebook.com/25February#!/pages/ywm-alghdb-aljzayry-17-fyfry-fbrayr/178061292235282
*Y. Yehoshua is Director of Research at MEMRI.
[1] http://www.facebook.com/pages/ywm-alghdb-fy-alymn-3-fbrayr/126356774101823#!/pages/ywm-alghdb-fy-alymn-3-fbrayr/126356774101823?v=wall.
[2] http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1713982743674&set=o.352812767076#!/photo.php?fbid=191238600900014&set=o.352812767076.
[4] http://www.facebook.com/pages/ywm-alghdb-aljzayry-4-fbrayr-w-11-fbrayr-anshrha-bqdr-hbk-lwtnk/179636112074677#!/pages/14-fbrayr-ywm-alghdb-albhryny/148483188542420?v=info.
[5] http://www.facebook.com/notes/libya-al-mostakbal/byan-bkhsws-mzahrt-17-fbrayr-ywm-alghdb-fy-lybya/173923919319284. The communiqué also appeared on a number of opposition websites in Libya: http://alsature.wordpress.com/ ; http://www.libya-watanona.com/letters/v2011a/v31jan11z.htm.
