“This protest is started by people, not by a few activists. It’s not only about people from big cities but about Lebanese all around the world,” said Nour MJ Hodeib, a key player of New York City’s Lebanese protest. He emphasized that what brought them together is directly related to everyone’s life in Lebanon: extreme difficulties in getting an education, finding a job, and making a living. “We are exiled, but by our choice.”

There is no individual or group that has not led these continuous protests. There is no leader, but people do what they can do for their community voluntarily.

Hodeib was one of the people who has shown up from the very first gathering. He said that someone started to sing and dance, then everyone did it together. He added that someone had invited scholars to talk about Lebanon’s economic status, and a week later, people named some experts whom they could reach out to for the next discussions.

“When I came here, I found my people,” said Kinda Awad, an art student who has participated in the diaspora protests. She said that she was scared thinking of her family and friends left in Beirut to stay at home. “Nobody should go through this alone, and nobody is alone here.”

When Awad found Yara Murr, a grad student dropping tears at a candlelight vigil for the casualties of Lebanese Revolt on Nov. 13, 2019, in Zuccotti Park, New York City, she hugged Murr and said, “If you have anything to say, find me. Facebook, message, call, anything works.” Awad said she wants to repay for the kindness that she had received from “her people in New York City.”

Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, where the largest Lebanese American community of New York City has nestled, is not out of the influence of Lebanese diaspora protest.

“It’s the only thing that I can do for Lebanon’s future,” said Farah El Choum, a college student in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. She was born and grew up in the U. S., but said that her family never forgot their roots. While Choum’s family spent their summer vacations in Lebanon, she witnessed that even highly educated Lebanese twenty-somethings struggled to have a job.

That memory made her wave a Lebanese flag that she bought from Hookahnuts, a local Lebanese food store in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, with other Lebanese people at Washington Square Park.

“All of these dances, songs, and flags reminds me of my roots,” said Choum.

Toufic Eid, one of the protesters at Washington Square Park on Nov. 3. 2019, also identified himself as a second-generation Lebanese American from Bay Ridge. He said, “I didn’t think that this large number of Lebanese people are living in New York City.”

The biting cold stopped street marches, but the people’s connections made through the Lebanese diaspora protest never disappeared. Assembly Meeting NYC is planned for Dec. 17, 2019, and Christmas dinner, and the party will be held on Dec. 19, 2019. Gino Raidy, a Lebanese activist, will come to New York to discuss with Lebanese people in New York City on Dec. 18, 2019.

People who gathered for the protests now share their daily life stories, talk about political issues that concern them, and celebrate good things together like any other community.

“I found the place to feel the sense of belonging,” said Suja Gharib, one of the protesters at Washington Square Park.