Anti-normalisation group banned from performing play on Rainbow Street

AMMAN — “Itharrak” members were banned from performing a play on Thursday near the capital’s Rainbow Street, where they aimed at “providing educational facts” on boycotting Israeli products and “normalisation”, Muath Qasrawi, the group's founder, said Saturday.

“Itharrak”, which literally translates into “move”, planned to stage a sketch performed by more than 50 participants of different ages near the 1st Circle.

“We were surprised to see gendarmerie officers and police cars surrounding the area when we arrived,” Qasrawi told The Jordan Times, adding that they were informed that the governor bans such activities on streets.

Amman Governor Khaled Abu Zaid said group members did not ask for permission to perform the play, adding that they could have chosen another venue, not on a street.

“We have many other places in Jordan to perform plays and such activities; when people gather to watch, they block the street and cause traffic jams,” he told The Jordan Times.

Abu Zaid emphasised that the best interest of citizens should be taken into account, since it was during the weekend.

“The aim was not to cancel the play and limit their freedoms; we did not want to cause chaos on the street… many residents need to pass by that street to go to hospital or deal with emergency cases,” the governor said.

Qasrawi said the group had announced plans for the performance on several social media outlets a few days before the event. 

“There were several activities taking place on that street, yet, they only told us to cancel our event, we believe this limits our right to freedom of expression,” he charged.

Since its establishment in 2009, the group has organised several activities such as peaceful rallies, according to Qasrawi.