Thousands rally in Tunis against President Saied

Thousands of people protested against Tunisian President Kais Saied’s policies in Tunis on Saturday, calling for freedom of expression and the protection of civil liberties, Anadolu reports.

The demonstration began outside the headquarters of the Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT) and was organized by the union, civil society organizations and political parties.

Protesters marched through the capital, chanting slogans opposing the government and demanding greater freedoms. They also called for Saied’s resignation.

Representatives and supporters of various political groups, including the People’s Movement, the Ennahda Movement and the National Salvation Front, joined the march.

At a rally outside the municipal theater at the end of the march, UGTT Secretary-General Salah Eddine Salmi said that if the authorities sidelined dialogue, the streets and public squares would become forums for it.

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Salmi urged Tunisians to unite and speak out in defense of the country and people’s rights and freedoms. He said people’s rights were being violated and that Tunisia could not be reduced to the rule of a single person or left to the decisions of a government that listened only to itself.

Mounir Jellassi, a secondary-school teacher who attended the demonstration, said he had two main reasons for joining the protest.

Jellassi said his first reason for joining the protest was the shrinking space for freedom of expression and increasing restrictions on fundamental freedoms.

He also pointed to economic difficulties, saying the rising cost of living was making it difficult for people to lead a normal life in their own country.

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