Hundreds of Jordanians took to the streets of the capital Amman on Sunday in a fourth day of nightly protests against IMF-backed price increases that have shaken the kingdom.
Demonstrators who converged near the cabinet office chanted slogans calling for the sacking of Prime Minister Hani Mulki, vowing they would only disband if the government rescinded a tax bill it sent to parliament last month, which critics say worsens living standards.
“We are here until we bring the downfall of the bill… This government is shameful,” demonstrators chanted as police prevented them from approaching the heavily guarded government offices.
“Our demands are legitimate. No, no to corruption,” they yelled, urging King Abdullah II, who is seen as a unifying force, to intervene and crack down on official graft.
About 3,000 people faced down a heavy security presence to gather near the prime minister’s office in Amman in the early hours of Sunday, waving Jordanian flags and signs reading “we will not kneel”.
Protests have gripped the country since Wednesday when hundreds responding to a call by trade unions, flooded the streets of Amman and other cities to demand the fall of the government.
“Women have started looking in rubbish bins to find food for their children, and every day we’re hit by price hikes and new taxes,” said one protester.
According to Al Jazeera, last month, the government proposed an income tax draft law, yet to be approved by parliament, aimed at raising taxes on employees by at least five percent and on companies by between 20 and 40 percent.
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