Syrians Revolt Against Alcohol Sales Restrictions in Damascus
Residents of Damascus take to the streets to protest new measures by Islamist authorities that limit alcohol sales, sparking concerns over personal freedoms.
In a rare public display of dissent, residents of the Syrian capital Damascus have taken to the streets to protest new restrictions on the sale of alcohol. The demonstrations reflect growing fears that the Islamist authorities in control of the city may be seeking to curtail personal freedoms and impose a more conservative social agenda.
The protests were sparked by a decision by the local government to limit the number of stores allowed to sell alcoholic beverages. Under the new regulations, only a handful of specialized shops will be permitted to stock and sell wine, beer, and liquor, while the vast majority of grocery stores and supermarkets will be prohibited from doing so.
The move has been seen by many Damascenes as an encroachment on their lifestyle and personal choices. "We're not asking for alcohol to be freely available everywhere, but this policy goes too far," said one protester, who requested anonymity for fear of reprisals. "It's our right to be able to buy a bottle of wine or a beer if we want to."\p> {{IMAGE_PLACEHOLDER}}
Source: Deutsche Welle
