Tunisians rise up!

Thousands of people have taken to the streets of the Tunisian capital of Tunis today to demand the resignation President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Nationwide protests have erupted over the past month against unemployment, police brutality and government repression under Ben Ali’s 23-year rule. At least 60 people are believed to have been killed in the unrest. Today’s demonstrations come one day after Ben Ali offered unprecedented concessions, including a vow to not seek a fourth term in 2014. The Tunisian president also agreed to allow political freedom, refrain from censorship of sites such as YouTube, end police brutality, and cut the prices of food staples. In Paris, hundreds of Tunisians rallied on Thursday to support the protests in their home country.

Protester: "We want) to start with the departure of Ben Ali and his regime and the installation of a democratic regime that is elected by the people and which represents the people and which defends its social and economic interests."

An estimated crowd of 7,000 demonstrators have surrounded Tunisia’s Interior Ministry building today, calling for Ben Ali to step down. It is believed to be the largest anti-government protest in Tunisia since Ben Ali took office in 1987.