Last night, after a fourth day of protests in the town of Ferguson, Missouri, where police have been tear-gassing citizens protesting the shooting of teenager Michael Brown, the protesters got some solidarity on Twitter—all the way from the Middle East.
#Ferguson looks like #Bahrain, looks like #Palestine, looks like #Egypt it looks like an injustice. It always looks the same. #Solidarity—
مريم البرغوثي (@MariamBarghouti) August 14, 2014
#HandsUpDontShoot in #Ferguson hits close to home. AbdulRedha Buhmaid in green tshirt was shot in d head in #Bahrain http://t.co/jdWs40Tb7U—
Maryam Alkhawaja (@MARYAMALKHAWAJA) August 14, 2014
There was some sympathy from Palestinians, who are experienced in dealing with American-made tear gas, and probably also with the kinds of tactics used by Ferguson police: The town’s former chief of police was trained in Israel.
Dear #Ferguson. The Tear Gas used against you was probably tested on us first by Israel. No worries, Stay Strong. Love, #Palestine—
Rajai abuKhalilرجائي (@Rajaiabukhalil) August 14, 2014
Made in USA teargas canister was shot at us a few days ago in #Palestine by Israel, now they are used in #Ferguson. http://t.co/y3co6DMFM6—
مريم البرغوثي (@MariamBarghouti) August 14, 2014
And there was practical advice on how to handle a tear-gas attack:
Don’t Keep much distance from the Police, if you’re close to them they can’t tear Gas. To #Ferguson from #Palestine—
Rajai abuKhalilرجائي (@Rajaiabukhalil) August 14, 2014
Always make sure to run against the wind /to keep calm when you’re teargassed, the pain will pass, don’t rub your eyes! #Ferguson Solidarity—
مريم البرغوثي (@MariamBarghouti) August 14, 2014
@MariamBarghouti
Diphoterine solution.
Vinegar, vaseline, milk and lemon juice solutions.
Maalox diluted with water.—
SEIF (@Seifswahba) August 14, 2014
This is not the first time the Arab Spring sent its support to demonstrators in the US. In 2011, during the protests against a proposed anti-union bill in Madison, Wisconsin, well-wishers around the globe called a local pizza parlor to order deliveries for the protestors. At least one order reportedly came straight from Cairo.
The Arab Spring is alive and kicking in middle America
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