Is there an actual story to this particular event? Not much in the comments.
Are they trying to get in/out of somewhere? I don't get what the objective is.
Do they need an objective other than to protest and walk along that road?
The desert is a true treasure for him who seeks refuge from men and the evil of men. In it is contentment In it is death and all you seek (Quoted from "The Bleeding of the Stone" Ibrahim Al-Koni)
