A video of the demonstration in Tafilah shows protesters holding banners ridiculing the monarchy. One banner stated: “It was Rania’s [Queen of Jordan] birthday, her gift was a private jet, now they raised prices. We are not going to pay for your birthday gift, you floozy.”

In the city Irbid, demonstrators chanted: “Freedom given by Allah, not from you, King Abdullah!”

Jordanian authorities reacted swiftly to the protests and arrested activists on grounds ranging from incitement against the regime to stirring up sectarianism. On Sunday, September 9, 2012, the Supreme Court sentenced six activists to prison and are investigating fifteen others. Protesters took to the streets once again to condemn the arrests.