Spring is in the air in Tunis

The women’s assembly took place in the amphitheater 1 of the School of Law of the University of Tunis, which was packed to capacity.  Women coming from various parts of the world took the stage to loudly proclaim their rights. “Our people in government have not taken seriously the demands of the civil society of Tunisia – stressed forcefully Ahlan Belhaji – we must continue to fight.” These speeches in the hall were answered with the same vigor by groups of young women who were chanting: “Solidarity for equality.” These were the words that were repeated more often: solidarity, equality and dignity. The last one especially seems to express well the heart of the Tunisian revolution.

Many women took the stand on the stage to recount their struggles for the dignity of the woman, from South Africa to Brazil, from Palestine to the Western Sahara, from Egypt and from Algeria. The presence of women from Mexico, who live in a situation of great violence, was very significant. The women branded with words of fire both femicide and all the other forms of violence that they suffer all across the world. “Together we can impose our demands  to government authorities,” shouted forcefully Fatima from South Africa.

The assembly came to an end around noon with singing, slogans and dances, in solidarity with the struggles of women all over the world. The strength and the liveliness of these extraordinary women were incredible. And all this is so much more surprising because it is taking place in an Islamic environment. This, too, is a positive result of the Tunisian spring.

From the university hall, the people slowly started moving towards Bourghiba Avenue, which is the heart of Tunis. The great opening march of the WSF started from here, in the early afternoon. A huge crowd, estimated at 100,000 people, colorful and exultant, started moving slowly towards the Stadium. A beautiful sunny day, a spring day, provided the background of this march. Tunisians were present in great numbers, using this occasion to stress their desire for radical change in their country, especially after the killing of the leader of the opposition, Shukri Belaid, on February 16. His pictures could be found all through the march, and became one of its symbols.

The fact that the International Committee of the Forum chose Tunis as the venue for this gathering was providential, because this day gave an incredible shot of energy to the Tunisian people and new hope for a change against any form of fundamentalism.

The presence of groups from Algeria, Morocco and Libya was also substantial. And so was the presence of Palestinians, who in this march received the solidarity of many of the groups participating.

The march turned into a mixture of colors, songs, dancing and slogans. It was a spring day full of hope. Credit for the success of the march is due to the committee of Tunis and of Maghreb who were able to set up a good organization, with banners welcoming the WSF. The city of Tunis was decked in a festive mood in order to welcome with joy the participants arriving from all over the world.

The Tunisian committee was able to organize this march without external help, but relying on its own strength and connecting with that part of civil society that has been able to pull off the Tunisian spring. The march ended at the stadium where, for several hours, songs and dancing continued wanting to express the desire to bring about a different world clothed in dignity.

In his book, The Arab Uprisings, the American professor James L. Gelvin, one of the best analysts of Arab revolutions, concludes his analysis saying that in Tunisia “nothing has changed.” After today our impression instead is that a lot has changed in Tunisia, where we found a strong citizenry, active and ready not to give up, and this is already a lot.
Safe journey to this people, who is hosting the Forum for the next several days.
Alex Zanotelli; Elisa Kidanè; Bernardino Frutuoso