Beirut Revolution 2019

A visual record of the 2019 Lebanese Revolution

Moments of protest, solidarity, and resilience as a nation rose to demand change.

Lebanon’s October 2019 Uprising

On 17 October 2019, a proposed tax on WhatsApp calls brought crowds onto the streets of Beirut. Within days the protests spread across Lebanon, uniting people of every religion, class and region against corruption and economic collapse. These photographs were taken on the streets of Beirut during those weeks of marches, road blocks and confrontations.

A protester in a black mask stands shirtless in front of a large fire burning wooden scaffolding during the 2019 Lebanese Revolution in Beirut.
Shattered glass fills the frame as protesters crowd a Beirut street during the 2019 Lebanese Revolution.
Crowds wave Lebanese flags amid red smoke flares at a mass protest rally during the 2019 Lebanese Revolution in Beirut.
A silhouette of a lone figure standing before a large fire at night during the 2019 Beirut protests, with a mosque visible in the background.
A dense crowd of protesters illuminated by purple and pink lights during the 2019 Lebanese Revolution demonstrations in Beirut.
Fire burns in the streets of Beirut at night as protesters gather during the 2019 Lebanese Revolution.
A protester silhouetted against a large fire burning on the Beirut waterfront at night during the 2019 Lebanese Revolution.
Street graffiti of a cartoon pig character painted on a wall in Beirut during the 2019 revolution protests.
Aerial view of the devastated Beirut port area showing destroyed buildings and rubble after the 2020 Beirut explosion.
A protester wearing a clown mask and yellow mohawk wig stands in a crowd during the 2019 Lebanese Revolution in Beirut.