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Syria's cabinet is dismissed
Syrian president Bashar al-Assad fired his cabinet to try to calm protests. The decision was made during a 10-day nationwide uprising, and later the president would be giving a speech that would help let him know where the people stand with him. This event was important because this was the first time the president has done something in response to the protests. -
Teen becomes symbol
Thirteen-year-old Hamza al-Khatib was brutally beaten and tortured by security forces. His body was released to his family about a month after he was reportedly picked up by the officials. His body shows evidence of being tortured from bullet wounds on his arms, cuts, bruises, whip marks and worse afflictions. This event was important because this boy quickly became another symbol of the revolution, showing how the innocent are getting senselessly killed, -
Biggest day for Syrian uprisings
It was the biggest day of protests against President Bashir al-Assad. In the city of Hama, about 200,000 people were gathered in the streets where demonstrations took place. There were conflicts in Aleppo, where demonstrators say at least 24 people were killed. In response, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton increased pressure on reform in Syria. This event is important because it caught the attention of other countries and brought a U.S. official to urgently demand refom. -
Cartoonist beaten by Syrian forces
Syrian political cartoonist Ali Ferzat was beat up by Syrian forces and left on the side of the road. As one the most prominent figures in the Arab world, Ferzat's drawings were very popular and well-known. This was likely punishment for cartoons that may have offended the government. This is important because it shows that influential people will be punished more severely for making a statement. However, no amount of punishment can change the impact they will have already made on society.