Woman who has become symbol of Lebanon protests is called to military court

There was a lot that was still unclear the evening of October 17, 2019.

On social media, photos and videos began to be shared at crowds around Lebanon. And on burnt car tires and blocked roads. Keywords against the governing forces, the political system and the call for revolt began to sound.

In Beirut, a ministerial car was prevented from going. The bodyguard then got out and started firing with his weapon.

A woman, Malak Alaywe Herz, took the matter into her own hands. Or feet, and kicked him in the writing. Everything was captured with a mobile camera and spread like wildfire.

More people gathered and agreed, and the Lebanese protests became a fact.

- We were a small group of people and he came to us with his weapon and shot in the air. I told him to shoot me. He tried to get me out of the way and I just hit, without thinking, Malak Alaywe told Lebanese L'Orient le Jour about the incident.

- It might have been better if he had killed me. It had become a real symbol, it is the only way to make things change.

However, Malak Alaywe Herz became a living symbol of the people against power and also became an inspiration to many memes, graffiti and other art.

Now the protests have been going on for over four months, both on a larger and smaller scale. And this week, Malak Alaywe Herz was called to military court for his act, several media reports.

In a Facebook post along with one of the pictures of Malak Alaywe Herz kicking the bodyguard, her husband, Mouhamad Herz writes: “The streets are resting and the courts have begun. My wife has been called to military court because of this image. "

Human rights organization Human Rights Watch has on several occasions condemned Lebanon for military courts to try civilians, most recently in February.

The trial of Malak Alaywe Herz is scheduled for November.