The funeral of assassinated Tunisian politician Chokri Belaid was a largely peaceful event. Across the rest of the country, police struggled to contain emotional protests and thousands of workers went on strike to honor Belaid’s memory. The nation was shut down for a day as workers across Tunisia engaged in the nation’s first general strike in more than 30 years.
“With our blood and our souls we will sacrifice ourselves for the martyr,” the mourners shouted.
Members of the crowd of funeral attendees attempted to intervene, according to witness reports, and prevent the escalation of a clash between police and youths who were breaking windows outside the cemetery. The government said that 132 people were arrested out of the estimated 40,000 people who attended Belaid’s funeral.
According to a national news agency, the national Army had been ordered to “secure” Mr. Belaid’s funeral “and ensure the protection of participants” while the trade union federation had called for a “peaceful” general strike “in order not to serve the objectives of Tunisia’s enemies who had planned Chokri Belaid’s assassination.”
As Belaid’s body was lowered into the ground, thousands of people cried “Allah akbar [God is greatest]!” before singing the national anthem and reciting the opening verse of the Quran.
“My brother, my dear friend Chokri. We will miss you,” said Hamma Hammami, One of Belaid’s fellow longtime organizers. “Tunisians, come together. The revolution continues.”
