Suddenly Free to Speak, Tunisians Can’t Stop
The ouster of their dictator has left Tunisians finally free to speak, and it’s as if they can’t stop talking. For more than a week, now, clumps of men and women have congregated along the length of the capital city’s stylish tree-lined Avenue Habib Bourguiba, just to talk. In clusters of four or five, sometimes more, complete strangers publicly and passionately debate topics that many wouldn’t have dared discuss even in private whispers just a few weeks ago. The wide boulevard, lined on both sides by French-style outdoor cafes, has become one large open-air citizens’ forum.
“The military cannot take any decision in Tunisia,” says one man, gesticulating forcefully as he speaks to a small crowd that has gathered around him. “Do you really believe that 160,000 police were held at bay by 27,000 soldiers? Think about it.”