News

2019: A year of protests, everywhere!

  • Police fire tear gas at anti-extradition bill protesters during clashes in Sham Shui Po (REUTERS/Thomas Peter/File Photo)

    Hong Kong's stability jolted

    Protests erupted across Hong Kong in June over the introduction of a bill to allow the extradition of fugitives to mainland China. The bill was withdrawn in September, but months later, protesters are still demanding full democracy for the territory and an inquiry into police violence. The rallies have regularly turned ugly and security forces have been accused of being too heavy-handed.

  • Protesters attend a rally demanding Hong Kong's leaders step down and withdraw the extradition bill (REUTERS/Tyrone Siu)

    A million and more hit the streets

    The sheer size of the protest movement has put Hong Kong and Beijing's leaders on the back foot, amid accusations that China is undermining the territory's special status under the "one country, two systems" agreement. On occasions, more than a million people poured into the streets. Local elections in November saw a huge landslide for the pro-democracy camp.

  • Greta Thunberg at the Fridays for Future protest in Berlin

    Greta persists, the world listens

    Within months of schoolgirl Greta Thunberg's solo climate change protest outside the Swedish parliament, a new youth activist movement had grown into the millions. The Fridays for Future protests have unleashed more than 4,500 strikes across over 150 countries, including Germany. Thunberg's straightforward approach is credited with forcing several governments to declare a climate crisis.

  • Demonstrators protest against a new citizenship law in Delhi

    Challenging religious discrimination in India

    India's Parliament passed legislation this month that offers amnesty to non-Muslim undocumented immigrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. The move prompted nationwide protests complaining that the law discriminates on the basis of religion. Prime Minister Modi insisted the bill offers sanctuary to people fleeing persecution but many fear it will render Muslim immigrants stateless.

  • An Iraqi female demonstrator takes part in ongoing anti-government protests in Baghdad (REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah)

    Iraqi says 'life is worse' since Saddam

    In October, Iraqis poured onto the streets to protest against corruption, unemployment and Iran's influence on the country's government. The demonstrations quickly turned violent, with some 460 people killed and 25,000 injured. Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi announced his resignation, fueling further anger over efforts to install an interim leadership, which protesters say is more of the same.

  • A demonstrator waves a national flag in Beirut's Martyrs' Square (REUTERS/Andres Martinez Casares)

    Fists of solidarity in Beirut

    Lebanon saw a similar outpouring of anger in October over plans to hike taxes on gasoline, tobacco and even WhatsApp phone calls. The protests quickly morphed into a wider condemnation of endemic state corruption and falling living standards. Despite Prime Minister Saad Hariri stepping down, protest leaders refused to meet with his interim successor and are demanding an establishment overhaul.

  • Iranians protests over fuel hike (Getty Images/AFP)

    Iran fuel protests spread to 21 cities

    In November, Tehran was widely denounced for its crackdown on protests that erupted over fuel rationing and a 50% gasoline price hike. More than 200,000 people poured onto the streets of several cities and quickly turned riotous, prompting a strong response. The US State Department says more than one thousand people were killed during the bloodiest period in Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

  • A demonstrator flashes the peace sign while debris burn in the background on June 3, 2019. (AP/dpa photo)

    Sudan revolution leaves power vacuum

    Months of civil disobedience led to the overthrow of Sudan's longtime ruler Omar al-Bashir in April and threw the northeastern African country into a political crisis. Military and pro-democracy parties have since been fighting to secure power. Dozens of people were killed in the unrest. In August, the two sides signed a constitutional declaration to form a transitional government.

  • A rainbow is seen as demonstrators protest against Chile's state economic model in Santiago, Chile October 24, 2019. (REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado)

    Latin America decries austerity

    Protests in Chile began just over two months ago, sparked by tensions over the country's political and economic system. Protesters are demanding an overhaul of the health, pension and education systems. Several Latin American nations saw similar protests in 2019, including Bolivia, Honduras and Venezuela, where attempts to remove Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro peaked in May.

  • A protester stands in front of burning barricade during a demonstration by the yellow vests movement (REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer)

    France shudders to a standstill

    France's yellow vest movement has proved a constant thorn in President Emmanuel Macron's side. The movement originated at the end of 2018 when drivers from rural areas complained about a planned fuel tax. It then morphed into a catch-all banner for very disparate groups of disaffected voters. By December, French unions were striking and on the streets again, this time over pension reforms.

  • Catalan demonstrators throw back to the police a tear gas canister officer during Catalonia's general strike, in Barcelona, Spain, October 18, 2019. (REUTERS/Jon Nazca)

    Catalonia independence fight renewed

    After nine Catalan separatist leaders were jailed by Spain's Supreme Court, a new wave of anger erupted, paralyzing the regional capital, Barcelona. Protests — which at one point involved half a million people — turned violent for six nights in a row. The general strike and accompanying unrest stopped transport and car production, even forcing the postponement of a Barcelona vs. Real Madrid match.


Millions have mobilized globally this year over a lack of democracy, ethnic discrimination, corruption and climate change. From China to Chile, Sudan to Sweden, people have hit the streets demanding change.

  • Date 23.12.2019
  • Author Leah Carter