As if Racism started in Lebanon with the influx of Syrian refugees…

 This campaign aims to tackle what is perceived as growing discrimination against Syrian refugees living in Lebanon.

Lebanese politicians are being accused by activists of using rising tensions between Syrians refugees and Lebanese inhabitants of some areas of Lebanon for politically-motivated purposes.

After the “I am not a Martyr” campaign in honor of Mohammad Chaar and the “I am not naked” campaign first in support of Olympic skier Jackie Chamoun and then against Domestic Violence, the anti-racism campaign is using the same (and now-familiar) method of online protest featuring average citizens posting selfies and carrying a message.

Speaking to leading French language Lebanese newspaper “L’Orient-le Jour”, one of the activists participating in the campaign said:

Politicians can’t even resolve basic problems such supplying gas and electricity, facilitating affordable public transportation, stopping violence in Tripoli and Hermel, passing laws related to domestic violence, lowering the expensive telecommunication… These problems existed before the arrival of Syrian refugees and our politicians did not solve them. They never want to solve anything, they never did.

Here are a few examples of those participating:

“If you accept us, you are welcomed in Lebanon”

Once, a Syrian made us proud

He fled from sure death, and Not to die from indignity

Re-direct your anger at the ruling class, this bloated and corrupt class

I am a person before being a Syrian. (A reminder of the saying of the French essayist Montaigne)

90% of our homes were built by Syrian workers. Be consistent with your racist attitude and leave your house.

Some even went further to criticize colonial legacy.

And they even hanged a sign over a highway: