Musical Interlude in Solidarity with Tunisian Protesters

Tunisian police have arrested a rap singer who released a song critical of government policies as protests against President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali's rule shook the North African nation, his brother said on Friday.

Police arrested 22-year-old Hamada Ben-Amor late on Thursday in the Mediterranean Sea coast city of Sfax, Hamdi Ben-Amor told Reuters.

"Some 30 plainclothes policemen came to our house to arrest Hamada and took him away without ever telling us where to. When we asked why they were arresting him, they said 'he knows why'," he said.

Ben-Amor is known to fans as The General. Last week he released a song on the internet titled 'President, your people are dying' that talks about the problems of the youth and unemployment.

Students have apparently been heavily involved in the protests, and the government has shut down the universities in response. Anywhere from 21 to 50 protesters have been killed so far by police.

[Update Thursday 7:56 am]: Excellent roundup with videos and links. Also, the U.S. government's bullshit response. And some thoughts on the media blackout regarding the Tunisia protests.