I was walkin' down the street
In the town where I was born
I was movin' to a beat
That I'd never felt before
I have been unable to find a comprehensive timeline of the events going on in Libya. Instead I will summarize a few articles that discuss the major events of the Libyan Revolution. Protests began on February 17,2011, named the Day of Anger by groups who used social networking sites to organize.
Gaddafi Hits With Deadly Force
Gaddafi wasted no time in responding violently to the protests. Just four days in and the death toll is upwards of 300. Gaddafi's forces are firing straight on crowds of protesters with no hesitation. The protests are located mainly in the eastern cities of Benghazi, Baida, Ajdabiya, Zawiya and Derna. They will eventually spread to the capital, Tripoli. Already Libyans are frustrated with the lack of international intervention or support because of the rising number of deaths. "Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said Saturday he will not "bother" Gaddafi over the violent incidents."
So I opened up my eyes
And I took a look around
I saw it written 'cross the sky
Gaddafi blames unrest on al-Qaeda
This article just proves the craziness of the Libya leader. In a speech on February 24, 2011, Gaddafi proclaimed that Al-Qaeda had drugged his people and then incited them to revolt. The young people were supposedly given hallucinogenic drugs in their NesCafe(a popular brand of instant coffee in North Africa) and that is why they are protesting, revolting, and calling for a revolution. Gaddafi also claims that he is more of a symbolic leader and that there is representation for all his people. However, if this were true, than he would have much less of a problem stepping down and would not have had the ability to order the military to shoot on its own people.
The Revolution starts now
yeah, the revolution starts now
As Gaddafi wages war against a popular uprising, Libyan exiles explain how terror has long been a tool of the regime.
This is a video that details the events of the revolution and gives insight to the regime's general practices through the eyes of exiles living abroad. The first video shows a clip of one of Gaddafi's speeches in which he states "I have my gun and I will fight until the last drop of blood" and "We will march in the millions to cleanse Libya inch by inch, house by house, street by street, person by person."
Witnesses of Gaddafi's regime who have been in exile since the 1970s talk about instances of protest in which students were shot, killed and hung in front of their friends and family. They have been waiting in exile for Gaddafi to be removed from power so that they can one day return to Libya and live without fear. Even in exile they are not safe. Gaddafi has hitmen sent all around the world to stop his dissidents.
There are five different people in exile and each give their accounts. Each one also has a small biography listed below the main video.This video gives a very good depiction and the general idea of the Libyans in exile can be understood. This video is a good 30 minutes long, but well worth it.
The revolution starts now
When you rise above your fear
Obama: Its time for Libya's Gaddafi to Go
On February 27, 2011, President Obama and Germany's Chancellor, Angela Merkel had a telephone meeting about the situation in Libya. Up until this speech, the US response to the revolution was very non committal. There were legitimate reasons for this hesitancy however. US citizens who were in Libya for whatever reason, needed to be gotten out safely before the US took a definitive stance on the issue. Those citizens could have been put in great danger in the US had immediately supported the rebel groups. This speech calls on Gaddafi to stop massacring his people and to step down. Obama states that the Libyan people have spoken and that their wishes should be respected. No government has the right to rule without the approval of its citizens.
And tear the walls around you down
The revolution starts here
Libya: The Propaganda War
This video discusses the idea of proaganda. The situation in Libya has been greatly effected by media from both sides of the conflict. Each side has its own propaganda that it is promoting and truth can sometimes be difficult to find. The video also talks about how specific words are very important in a conflict like this, for example choosing to call this a civil war is much different than calling it an uprising or a revolution. Very good video, you only need to watch the first 10 minutes.
Where you work and where you play
Where you lay your money down
What you do and what you say
The revolution starts now
Yeah the revolution starts now
UN Authorizes No Fly Zone Over Libya
After what some may say was too long of a hesitation, the UN has authorized the military enforcement of a "No-Fly Zone" over Libya so that Gaddafi's forces will be severely limited in attacking the people. The United States and France were to lead the military efforts temporarily until another international organization like NATO is able to take control. Gaddafi's land forces are also allowed to be interrupted militarily if there is a threat to the Libyan people. The goal, however, is not to kill Gaddafi or force him to give up power through military means. Economic sanctions and social pressure are the means that individual countries can use to convince Gaddafi to step down.
Obama Strongly Defends US Military Action in Lbya
President Obama has come under fire for his decision to send troops to Libya in support of the UN's decision on a "No-Fly Zone". Many in the US are wondering why the US is involved in another Middle East conflict and are reluctant to support this cause. Obama has made it clear that this is not a forced regime change like that in Iraq. The US troops are there for the purposes of the UN's initiative and for nothing else. "Some nations may be able to turn a blind eye to atrocities in other countries. The United States of America is different. And as president, I refused to wait for the images of slaughter and mass graves before taking action."
Yeah the revolution starts now
In your own backyard
In your own home town
so what are you doin' standin' around?
Just follow your heart
The revolution starts now
Mapping Libya's Uprising
If you would like to keep up with the Libya conflict, here is a very helpful map. It charts all the cities and territories in Libya that are in the news and marks who is in control of what.
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