Thought you might find this interesting.  I find it even more remarkable that the desperate act of this one man ignited the movement toward democracy throughout the entire region. 

 

Mohamed Bouazizi was a 26-year-old Tunisian who, according to his sister, never graduated from high school.  Instead, he went to work to help support his family.  Like millions of angry and desperate Tunisians, he faced the unpleasant combination of poor employment prospects and food inflation. Moreover, the Tunisian government was seen as corrupt and authoritarian.  By December 17, resentment against authorities has been brewing for a while.

To make ends meet, the unemployed Bouazizi sold fruits and vegetables from a cart in his rural town of Sidi Bouzid, located 160 miles from the country’s capital Tunis. He did not have a license to sell, but it was his sole source of income.  On December 17, a female municipal inspector confiscated his produce.  She allegedly slapped his face and spit on him.

Bouazizi became incensed. He then drenched himself in gasoline and set himself on fire outside the governor’s office. Bouazizi survived his initial suicide attempt. After being transported to a hospital near Tunis, he was visited by President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali before passing away on January 4.   

After his suicide attempt, unrest broke out in Sidi Bouzid. The police cracked down on the protestors, which only fueled the movement.  The revolt eventually spread to the capital city.  On January 14, the masses of protestors prevailed as President Ben Ali fled the country amid escalating violence and opposition.

During Bouazizi’s funeral, Agence France Presse  reported that marchers chanted “farewell, Mohamed, we will avenge you.  We weep for you today.  We will make those who caused your death weep.”

It is always nice to put a face with a name.

The president and Bouazizi, shortly before he died. 

 

 http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/101313/20110114/the-story-of-mohamed-bouazizi-the-man-who-toppled-tunisia.htm

http://aangirfan.blogspot.com/2011/01/mohamed-bouazizi.html