Issues and Opposition: The highway leading up to the Faculty of Public Health at Lebanese University in Beirut was accident-prone and dangerous for students approaching the public health building. Injuries while crossing the highway were common and the death of a student was also reported. Despite several appeals to the city for building an overpass over the highway at least in part, the city took no measures. This angered the students and an action was planned as a protest against the city officials.
Dilemma Action: The protesters hung human shape cut-outs over the highway, just above the tops of cars, but low enough for trucks to hit them. Words on the body cut-outs said. “Just as you hit this, you will hit a student.” Further statistics were added: “If you hit a person while driving at 120 km/h, you will kill them in less than 2 seconds” and: “Every month a student is hit by a car on this highway.” Before this dilemma action, the students tried various non-violent modes of protest such as gathering outside the municipal building to address the attention of the authority concerned. However, the students soon found that since there was no Minister of Infrastructure, it was difficult to understand whom to target. Next, they hung big banners and posters on both sides of the highway. These materials touched the car tops and created inconvenience for the drivers. However, the cars usually went past very fast and hardly noticed. Next, the students drew 3D pictures of bumps and holes on the highway so that the cars slow down. The 3D images were successful initially but before long everyone realized those were painting. Hereafter, cars stopped slowing down. The protesters hung human shape cut-outs over the highway, just above the tops of cars, but low enough for trucks to hit them. Words on the body cut-outs said. “Just as you hit this, you will hit a student.” Further statistics were added: “If you hit a person while driving at 120 km/h, you will kill them in less than 2 seconds” and: “Every month a student is hit by a car on this highway.”Their demand was for a pedestrian bridge. This dilemma action was part of a larger campaign to draw the attention of the public to the dangers of the highway crossing.
Outcome: As people were driving, they would hit or nearly hit the hanging cut-outs. They were, thus, forced to slow down. As they paused, they read the statements. The media became aware of the campaign and began running stories. Nine days later, the Head of the Municipal Committee for Public Works called the protesters to listen to their grievances and perspectives. The protesters told the Head that they wanted a pedestrian bridge. Three weeks later, they started building the bridge and within another three months, the students had their bridge.