Jasmine Revolution-Twenty-six year old Mohamed Bouazizi had been the
sole income earner in his extended family of eight. He operated a
vegetable cart for seven years in Sidi Bouzid 190 miles (300 km) south
of Tunis. On 17 December 2010, a policewoman confiscated his cart and
produce. Bouazizi, who had such an event happen to him before, tried to
pay the 10-dinar fine (a day's wages, equivalent to 7USD).
In response the policewoman insulted his deceased father and slapped
him. A humiliated Bouazizi then went to the provincial headquarters in
an attempt to complain to local municipality officials and to have his
produce returned. He was refused an audience. Without alerting his
family, at 11:30 am and within an hour of the initial confrontation,
Bouazizi returned to the headquarters, doused himself with a flammable
liquid and set himself on fire. Public outrage quickly grew over the
incident, leading to protests. |
