Tunisia's uprising: A timeline

Map of the governorates of Tunisia. Most of the incidents in this timeline have occurred in the central governorates, which are generally much more impoverished than the coastal, tourist-rich areas of the country.

Dec. 17, 2010:

Tunisian police in the inland city of Sidi Bou Zid harass produce cart operator Mohamed Bouazzizi, 26, who was allegedly operating his business without a permit. After being spat upon by a police officer, Bouazzizi douses himself in kerosene and sets himself ablaze. Bouazzizi initially survives, and is taken to hospital.

Dec. 17-18, 2010:

Protestors gather outside the governate offices in Sidi Bou Zid to demonstrate against Bouazzizi’s treatment.

Dec. 19, 2010:

Extra Tunisian National Guard deployed to Sidi Bou Zid. Word of protests filters out through social media.

Dec. 22, 2010:

Lahseen Naji tells bystanders he is fed up with being unemployed, then commits suicide by electrocuting himself atop an electrical pole in Sidi Bou Zid.

Dec. 24, 2010:

• Protestors in Bouzaiene set fire to police cars and government buildings. Police open fire on the crowd. Mohamed Ammari, 17, is shot and killed. Chawki Belhoussine El Hadri, 44, is shot and dies of his wounds on Dec. 31. Official state media claims that ‘numerous’ national guardsmen were burned, and two were comatose.

• Tunisian development minister travels to Sidi Bou Zid to announce $10M development plan.

Dec. 25, 2010:

• Rallies held in Kairouan, Sfax, and Ben Guerdane.

Dec. 27, 2010:

• Trade unions organize around 1,000 demonstrators in Tunis to show solidarity with Sidi Bou Zid. Security forces break up the demonstration. Smaller solidarity protests also occur in Sousse, Sfaz, and Meknassi.

Dec. 28, 2010:

• Trade unions organize a rally in Gafsa, just a few kilometers from Sidi Bou Zid. Government troops again break up the rally.

• President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali makes photo op visit to Bouazzizi’s bedside. That night, Ben Ali addresses the nation through state media to claim that the demonstrations are hurting the economy, and the law will be upheld “with all firmness.”

• Ben Ali sacks the ministers of communication, trade, and religious affairs, as well as the governors of Sidi Bou Zid, Jendouba, and Zaghouan governorates.

Dec. 29, 2010:

• Several hundred lawyers rally near the government buildings on the south side of Tunis.

Dec. 31, 2010:

• Nationwide lawyers’ strike broken up in cities across the country. Multiple reports of violence against the lawyers.

December-January:

• Tunisian government begins ‘phishing’ campaign to hack dissenters’ Facebook, e-mail, and blogs.

Jan. 2, 2011:

• The Anonymous hacking group begins launching cyberattacks on Tunisian government websites.

Jan. 3, 2011:

• About 250 young demonstrators take to the streets in Thala. Police break it up with tear gas; nine injured.

Jan. 4, 2011:

Bouazzizi, the cart operator whose self-immolation triggered the initial protests in central Tunisia, dies of his injuries at hospital in Tunis.

Jan. 5, 2011

Bouazzizi’s burial draws around 5,000 mourners, who again protest against government action.

Jan. 6, 2011:

• Tunisian police round up at least a dozen bloggers, web activists, and a rapper Hamada Ben-Amor, known as “The General.” The General had rapped about the problems of youth and unemployment.

• 95 percent of lawyers in the country participate in general strike, calling for an end to police brutality.
• Dozens of Tunisian-Canadians protest outside Tunisian consulates in Montreal and Quebec City.

Jan. 7, 2011:

• Unrest again breaks out in Thala, with protestors attacking and setting fire to a bank and government buildings
• U.S. summons Tunisian ambassador to express concern and to encourage them to allow peaceful demonstrations. Call for 'all sides' to calm down; rationale being that Anonymous' web attacks also must stop.

Jan. 8, 2011:

• Massive protests break out in Kasserine and Thala. Trade union sources say six killed in Thala, and fourteen killed in Kasserine. Official state media admits two dead.

Jan. 9, 2011:

• Firebomb launched at Tunisian consulate in Pantin, France.

• Two protestors killed by police in Miknassi.

(This information gleaned from al Jazeera, AFP, The Guardian, friends within Tunisia, and Reuters)