"Thousands" March Against Syrian Government

I will admit that this story does call the demonstration in Beirut perhaps the largest ever staged in the Arab world. (Thank you, Corner, for that tip.)

But let me quibble over that headline:

Thousands March Against Syria in Beiru

And the sub-hed?:

Biggest Anti-Syria Rally Yet in Beirut Draws Hundreds of Thousands of Demonstrators

Ummm, why is the "Hundreds of Thousands" relegated to the sub-hed? Is "hundreds of thousands" too difficult to work into a headline?

How about "Almost One Million"? Because the article later cites differing estimates between 800,000 and over one million.

Anyway, blame that on the editor, not the writer. The writer seems to have well understood the story she was reporting:

The rally, perhaps the biggest anti-government demonstration ever staged in the Arab world, was the opposition's bid to regain momentum after two serious blows: the reinstatement of the pro-Syrian prime minister and a huge rally last week by the Shiite group Hezbollah.

Protesters some bused in from across Lebanon jammed Martyrs' Square and spilled into nearby streets. They chanted, sang and shouted in a mix of the Arabic accents of the country's regions, demanding Syrian troops depart and that their government be purged of Damascus' influence.

The turnout was broader than earlier opposition protests, with more Sunni Muslims in particular joining the Christians and Druse who have formed the bulk of past anti-Syrian rallies. Even some Shiites joined in.

"We came to liberate our country. We are coming to demand the truth," said Fatma Trad, 40, a Sunni woman wearing a headscarf. "I've been watching it all on television for the past month. Today, I wanted to be a part of it."

and:

In recent days, opposition ads for Monday's rally have been running on television, and activists in towns and villages arranged buses to the capital. E-mails and telephone text messages referred to Prime Minister Omar Karami's claim that the Hezbollah demonstration showed the government had the support of the majority.

"Prove him wrong," the messages flashed across cellphones and computers.

...

Many in the crowd Monday also demanded the removal of President Lahoud.

"We want freedom. It is now or never!" said Rose Touma, a 55-year-old Christian, raising the Lebanese flag in one hand and, in her other, a picture of Hariri. "I thank God that I'm alive to witness this beautiful day."

As others have remarked: Not In Our Name? That's right, it's not in your name.

posted by Ace at 02:31 AM

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