On December 17, 2010, Mohamed Bouazizi was selling produce from his cart when a police officer began harassing him for not having a permit. This was a usual occurrence for Bouazizi as permits could only be attained by having special connections to the Tunisian government. Along with the usually issued fine of what equals a full day’s wages, the officer insulted him and his dead father. Feeling humiliated, Bouazizi went to the police headquarters. He was refused help and returned to his cart where he set himself and his produce on fire.
Within hours of the incident, protests began. While similar incidents have happened in Tunisia and other parts of the Arab world, people in Bouazizi’s area worked very quickly to publicize the incident. Many were fed up with the unemployment and economic devastation in Tunisia, but did not actively fight for change until Bouazizi’s actions inspired them.
Ben Ali visited Bouazizi at the hospital and imprisoned the police officer to quiet the unrest but protests continued and expanded. The Tunisian people began calling for Ben Ali’s resignation. Ben Ali officially resigned on January 14, 2011, 28 days after the initial incident. The police officer was released from prison and the charges against her were dropped as no evidence of Bouazizi’s accusations existed.
These protests later became known as “The Jasmine Revolution,” after the Tunisian flag. The Jasmine Revolution sparked revolutions in other Middle Eastern countries, including a number of copycat incidents. Bouazizi’s actions were generally regarded as heroic although some felt the incident and the support he gained was inappropriate as they were not in accordance with Islamic law.
Below is a short video clip showing the Tunisian protests prior to the resignation of Ben Ali.
Posted by: Ashley Cohen
tunisiaweekly 
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