Over the past week, hundreds of thousands of Lebanese protesters have taken to the street to demand that the current government resign following corruption and economic instability in the country.

For years, Lebanon’s sectarian political system has failed to address the poverty, high youth unemployment and high cost of living affecting the quality of life of Lebanese citizens.

Meanwhile, it was revealed that Lebanon’s Prime Minister, Saad Hariri, was handing out extravagant gifts, including R150 million bestowed upon SA model Candice van der Merwe.

The protests follow on from the proposed additional taxes on tobacco, petrol and WhatsApp calls which were the last straw for people already angered by the austerity budget passed in July.

Look at this turnout, in footage filmed earlier this week:

Power to the people.

So, what’s this about a rather odd rallying cry?

Here’s Reuters:

A popular children’s song became a rallying cry in Lebanon after protesters in Beirut spontaneously sang the hit to calm a toddler caught in the midst of a noisy demonstration.

When driver Eliane Jabbour was surrounded by a rally in the capital last weekend, she asked protesters if they could stop shouting as her young son, Robin, was asleep in the front passenger seat.

On the spot, Eliane relates, the crowd spontaneously broke out into a rendition of the song “Baby Shark”, complete with hand gestures depicting a shark’s bite, and big smiles.

Yes, that ‘Baby Shark’.

Check it out:

The adorable video brought a moment of relief amidst the anger felt by protesters, and has become a rallying cry at peaceful demonstrations like this one:

And this one:

Robin, the toddler who started a movement, has become a fan of his own video.

“Although he looked confused in the video, right now he starts laughing whenever he watches it,” [his mother] told Reuters on Tuesday.

I hate the song, but I love this story.

Viva la revolution.

[source:reuters]