While in the 1990s most anti-Syrian demonstrations were predominantly Christian and were put down by force, the new demonstrations were distinctly non-sectarian and the government did not respond with force or intimidation.
Medan de flesta antisyriska demonstrationerna på 1990-talet till övervägande del var kristna och slogs ned med våld, var de nya demonstrationerna distinkt icke-sekteristiska och regeringen svarade inte med våld eller hot.