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These photos are from El-Bashayer Newspaper
Feb 8, 2011
The Very Latest in Riot Gear
In keeping with the latest escalation of hostilities in El-Tahrir Square, our heroes continue to innovate in the latest self defense technology. Apparently this modern revolution is not only righteous, it is also very green. These demonstrators are recycling all manner of household implements, not to mention outright rubbish that would otherwise go to waste.
These photos are from El-Bashayer Newspaper
These photos are from El-Bashayer Newspaper
Feb 7, 2011
The Stubbornness of a Defunct Leader
The Following was published in El-Bashayer Newspaper, The caption says "Mubarak demands replacement of the Egyptian People"
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| From El-Bashayer Newspaper |
The crowd’s determination in Tahrir Square is reflected in the huge masses of people, which exceeded one million. This determination is visible all over Egypt where people are still calling for President Mubarak to step down.
As a result of this uprising a new and positive sentiment is felt all over the country. It is the feeling of unity that is reflected among people regardless of social status, age, gender, or religious affiliation.
On Sunday the 6th of February, religious ceremonies were conducted jointly by Muslims and Christians in Tahrir Square in memories of those who lost their lives since January 25th. A Coptic friend of ours who has regularly participated in the Tahrir Square demonstrations called us and emotionally said “ I never thought to ever see in Egypt what happened today in the square.” She, of course, meant the dual prayers of Christians and Muslims. People were displaying the Koran and the Cross in unison.
According to the recently emerged leadership of the demonstrators, the protest will continue until Mubarak resigns.
The Egyptian army, however, keep calling on the protestors to end their protest and go home. This call has been ignored until now.
Leaders from the opposition political groups have been meeting for the past two days with Vice President Omar Suleiman and a committee referred to as “The Committee of Wise Men.” They were discussing a strategy for a transitional government. No consensus was reached on the followings:
- - Election of a new parliament,
- - Revision of the Constitution
- - Presidential election
- - Cancellation of Marshal Law
- - Investigation of crimes committed during the demonstration
- - Investigation of corruption
The critical answer to Mubarak’s political status has also not been resolved. The prevailing view among government officials is to let the president finish his term, which comes to an end in September 2011.
The demonstrators have rejected the government’s proposal and maintain that this is a strategy to dilute and bypass their objectives.
It is a stand still situation and we think that the key to this problem is in the hand of the Egyptian army.
Today the media wants to reflect a semblance of normality; we would like to stress the term SEMBLANCE and not Real normality.
This post is a collaboration between Hani Fakhouri and Aleya Rouchdy.
Feb 5, 2011
Commotions on the 12th day of protest
Tension in Egypt is still very high. Demonstrators are still in Tahrir Square defying the curfew. This is the “Day of Solidarity.”
The proposal submitted by the committee calls for the followings:
- - The Vice President to assume the duties of the President as head of the transitional government until September 2011.
- - The dissolution of the Parliament and the Advisory Council, maglis al shoura, and end the Emergency Law.
- - The appointment of a Judicial Affairs Committee to re-write the Constitution.
- - The appointment of a committee of experts on government affairs to advise the government until the election of the parliament and the new president.
- - The investigation of government officials responsible for crimes committed during the uprising.
- - The investigation of government officials who have abused the public trust and contributed to corruption.
The proposal, however, does not call for President Mubarak to step down but rather to transfer presidential authority to Vice President Omar Suleiman.
It was announced on Al Jazeera International that President Mubarak has resigned as the head of the Hisb al Watani, the ruling party. However, minutes later it was denied. His son, however, Gamal Mubarak has definitely resigned his position as Secretary General. The new Secretary General is Dr. Husam el Badrawi who is a liberal and a respected member of the Party.
Mubarak's departure from Egypt will bring some stability to a torn country, save further bloodshed; prevent further deterioration of the economy. More than 100,000 tourists have left Egypt during the past six days. But, regardless of the cost, this is a big and unprecedented victory for the young, secular generation who opened a new horizon for Egyptian society.
Feb 4, 2011
Day of Departure
Today, Friday February 4th, is the “Day of Departure.” Hundreds of thousands of protestors of all ages, religion, and gender are chanting the national anthem and waving the Egyptian flag in Tahrir square. Young children carried on their father’s shoulder are chanting “down with Mubarak ”and in unison the crowd responds “down with Mubarak.” It is an overwhelming, and breadth-taking scene that’s giving us all goose pimples and brings tears to our eyes.
The strong presence of the Egyptian army in the Tahrir Square, which is inspecting people’s identity, is indeed preventing last Wednesday’s mayhem. The demonstration has been going for almost eight hours now and it is still quite peaceful. The spirit is very high. Egyptians have never been as united as they are today!
Prominent political figures have joined the demonstrators, such as Amr Moussa, chairman of the Arab League, Mohamed el Baradei, and Defense Minister Tantawi. In addition, there are many actors, writers, artists and of course the common man. The number has now exceeded 2 million people in the square. In Alexandria and many other Egyptian cities demonstrators are also calling for the resignation of Mubarak.
We think that President Mubarak will announce his resignation very soon and Vice President Omar Suleiman will assume the responsibilities of a transitional government. The major and most immediate task of the transitional government would be to dissolve the parliament, set a date for a free democratic election internationally supervised, the revision of the constitution especially article 76 and 77 pertinent to the election of a president. Furthermore, an investigation of individuals responsible for corruption, and abuse of public trust should be conducted.
This is the most successful revolt by a young generation in modern history. We have not seen such a movement anywhere in the world. It is unprecedented.
The repercussions of this movement will be felt all over the Arab world. The political Tsunami’s wind of change will blow away other authoritarian regimes in the Arab states. In Yemen there were protests demanding the resignation of President Ali Saleh. He has already publically declared that he will not seek another term after 2013. Mind you he has been in power for the past 32 years. Jordan has also been experiencing continuous protests demanding the dissolution of the cabinet. King Abdullah has already dissolved the Rifai cabinet and asked Marouf el Bakhit to form a new cabinet. Furthermore, Sudan is also experiencing protest movements led by university of students who are protesting the increasing cost of living, unemployment and corruption. They are calling for the resignation of president Omar el Bashir.
In the next few weeks there will be rapid political developments leading, hopefully, to a bright future for the young generation in the Arab world.
This post is a joint effort by Hani, Fakhouri and Aleya Rouchdy
Feb 3, 2011
The Day After The Night of Tahrir Square
Tahrir square in central Cairo turned into a battleground on Wednesday evening, February 2. The pro-regime demonstrators used against the protesters guns, Molotov cocktails, water cannons, and rocks. According to a government report 13 people were killed and 1200 injured.
Today in a televised appearance, the new Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq, promised to investigate the violence, which took place in the square last night, and punish those responsible.
The newly appointed Vice President, Omar Suleiman, stated publicly on TV that there was a conspiracy by an outside element which was responsible for the clashes between the pro- and anti regime demonstrators. He promised an investigation in order to find out those behind the horrendous acts of violence.
Tonight both the anti and pro regime protesters are gathering in Tahrir square and the army is there to create a buffer zone between them.
Tomorrow, Friday, is called the “day of departure.” The anti regime protesters are planning to walk toward the headquarters of President Mubarak to call for his resignation. Whether they succeed or fail they have already achieved a great deal. They forced the government to cave to their demands. This is an achievement no one has ever been able to accomplish in the past 30 years of Mubarak’s regime.
We will all be thinking of them tomorrow February 4, 2011.
8th Day of Protest : The Million Man March
Egypt's Day of Anger
Tunis in the News
Recent Tunisian Uprising
Yemen Political and Social Unrest
High Unemployment a Ticking Time bomb in the Arab World
Recent Elections in Egypt and Jordan
You Have to love their Ingenuity
Last night, the paid pro-Mubarak demonstrators received a delivery of 2 truckloads of stones, all perfect size for throwing. These rocks and other weapons were hurled at the anti-Mubarak demonstrators.
In typical Egyptian ingenuity and adaptability, the demonstrators brought their household implements to bear. Kitchen pots and buckets doubled as helmets.
In all seriousness I was listening to Al-Jazeera last night and hearing telephone interviews with people in the square. Gunfire was aimed at the legs of anti-Mubarak demonstrators, even in areas that contain women and children. They said they were exhausted from fighting all night. Hearing the voices was heart rending for me, the terror they must have felt.
Many eyewitnesses at the scene told Al-Jazeera that they knew many of the pro-Mubarak were police officers or members of security forces. There were several captured pro-Mubaraks and their ID cards were shown on the video to show that they were actually members of the police.
I can't tell you how impressed I am with the courage of those people who weathered the night. I felt last night that the battle for Egypt's future was being waged. The protesters showed that they were not to be cowed by thuggery and bush league tactics (pun intended).
In typical Egyptian ingenuity and adaptability, the demonstrators brought their household implements to bear. Kitchen pots and buckets doubled as helmets.
These Images are from Al-Jazeera video coverage in El-Tahrir Square. | |
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In all seriousness I was listening to Al-Jazeera last night and hearing telephone interviews with people in the square. Gunfire was aimed at the legs of anti-Mubarak demonstrators, even in areas that contain women and children. They said they were exhausted from fighting all night. Hearing the voices was heart rending for me, the terror they must have felt.
Many eyewitnesses at the scene told Al-Jazeera that they knew many of the pro-Mubarak were police officers or members of security forces. There were several captured pro-Mubaraks and their ID cards were shown on the video to show that they were actually members of the police.
I can't tell you how impressed I am with the courage of those people who weathered the night. I felt last night that the battle for Egypt's future was being waged. The protesters showed that they were not to be cowed by thuggery and bush league tactics (pun intended).
Thanks to Al-Jazzera for these images as well as balanced journalism throughout the crisis.
Feb 2, 2011
An eyewitness Report from Al-Tahrir Square today and the last few days:
This is an Un-Edited account of the events in Tahrir Square.
It was noon at Tahrir Square, the number of demonstrators was much less than yesterday where around two million turned in to chant “people want the end of this regime” and many others against the president Hosni Mubarak, his family and the ruling party.
Later a Pro Mubarak demonstration started to approach closing in towards Tahrir Square, the anti Mubarak moved in and for a while they were face to face each chanting louder while the Army pulled to the side and watched.
It did not get long for the anti Mubarak demonstrators who have been in Tahrir square since Friday of Anger. They have been organized in a way that they did not respond to any intimidation by many who tried to infiltrate them for the past few days. But when the Pro Mubarak were forced to withdraw towards the Egyptian Museum side of Tahrir they started throwing stones and metal objects. The anti Mubarak kept their calm and tried to control their anger but without showing any fear . Minutes later news of the internet connection being restored after almost a week of isolation from the whole world. Blackberries and SMS were also cut off by the Egyptian regime; now this has helped the demonstrators to use their mobile phones to call on all of the ones who were in Tahrir yesterday to join them so as to overcome the thugs sent by the regime.
It was clear that those pro Mubarak were there to instigate clashes and violence, so more and more the anti Mubarak created human barriers to separate the two groups and make it difficult for them to attack the women, children, and men who have been coming to Tahrir everyday in families to express their views freely against the regime that made them poor, unemployed, disparate and even lost their dignity.
The pro Mubarak continued provocations and trying to infiltrate the anti Mubarak and pro democracy demonstrators who caught them one after another and took them to the army officers standing at the entrances of Tahrir. Each one caught was found with an identification card of the police or those with the ministry of interior.
Soon pro Mubarak moved in on horses and camels using sticks and stones to hit the pro democracy with much hate and anger. One woman who lives in a flat overlooking Tahrir said that she saw many of the Pro Mubarak demonstrators changing into civilian cloths before joining the others to attack the pro Democracy and anti Mubarak camp. She also testified that a policeman she knows told her he was asked or forced to join the others “thugs” in Tahrir to beat up “those who hate Mubarak.”
Hours later others of those pro Mubarak started moving from other entrances to Tahrir in an attempt to surround the anti Mubarak and Pro Democracy peaceful demonstrators. On the entrance close to Semiramis Hotel a lady stood by and started shouting at those leaving the demonstration by saying “traitors …traitors “ next to her a group of young men shouting “ Baradai is a US agent ..” and continuing “you are not welcomed we want Mubarak.”
It was clear that the army had taken a decision to stand by and watch though the anti Mubarak demonstrators have been working in close coordination and cooperating with the army forces deployed around Tahrir. The pro Mubarak demonstrators escalated their attacks form roofs of buildings over looking Tahrir. They used stones, sharp objects in addition to tear gas and what few demonstrators described as chemical or acid bombs!!!!
It was very clear that the whole event was orchestrated by the Mubarak regime as a last resort to scare people and keep them away from Tahrir square.
The Egyptian people were until yesterday demonstrating and expressing their views in a very peaceful manner it is their right as indicated in the Human Rights Charter (freedom of expression and freedom of assembly) yet this could not be tolerated by the regime particularly after the huge turn out of yesterday. Until yesterday Egyptians felt that this is their revolution and they don’t need any foreign power to assist, but of course the support of people not governments from all over the world is needed to help put an end to an era of corruption and terror by the Mubarak regime.
Author Unknown.
Relevant Links:
8th Day of Protest : The Million Man March
Egyptian Protester's Defiance
Egypt's Day of Anger
Tunis in the News
Recent Tunisian Uprising
Yemen Political and Social Unrest
High Unemployment a Ticking Time bomb in the Arab World
Recent Elections in Egypt and Jordan
Members of the Press: Live contacts on the Ground in Egypt
If any members of the press need live contacts, I got this email:Writing this at 5:35 pm form my home in Cairo. My Friend, is in Tahrir square monitoring the situation. If you know any reporter who needs an eye witness account of today's events, then please give them my number : +20-10-604-6042, my home is : +20-2-2736-1433. His number is: 011-20-12-212-6751, although he is right in the middle of the square and might not be able to talk to anyone.
It is very important to pass the message that the Mubarak regime is now using all dirty tricks in the books.
In solidarity
Tiananmen in Tahrir Square
This is the 9th day of protest against the Mubarak regime. Clashes have broken out between the anti-Mubarak and the pro-Mubarak. There are reports of hundreds of wounded people in the square and the nearby streets. It is said that the pro-regime are sent to disrupt the peaceful demonstrators and send them home by all means. Smoke bombs are thrown on the protesters. Some are thrown form the roofs of nearby buildings.
Mr. El Baradei is accusing the government of using “scare tactics and committing a crime against the people of Egypt.”
I think the government is determined to slaughter the protesters as it happened in Tiananmen Square.
The international communities should interfere and stop this slaughtering immediately.
Please help the young freedom seekers of Egypt who are struggling establish justice and freedom for all.
Feb 1, 2011
8th Day of Protest : The Million Man March
The Young Egyptian Protester's call for more people to join their movement has been heeded. Nearly 2 million protesters have reached Tahrir (Liberation) Square to join the Million Man March.
This was accomplished in spite of the fact that the government has cut off all land transportation in the country. Transportation has come to a standstill, yet the protesters were undeterred. Many arrived and crossed the barricades in Tahrir Square. It seems that the Human Network cannot be cut off.
Some young demonstrators came in burial shrouds wearing bandannas with the inscription "We will die for the cause".
It is an amazing sight.
Mubarak seems to have lost all touch with reality. The situation has reached a critical point. The infrastructure is collapsing and Mubarak has decided to turn a deaf ear to the developments in his native country.
In a newspaper interview, well know political figure Hasaneen Haikal quoted a statement once made by Mubarak to him:
"In stubbornness, I have a PhD"
This statement would be laughable if it were not so tragic.
In my opinion the only solution lies in the hands of the Egyptian military. They are the only power capable of removing Mubarak from office or forcing him to resign. Also, if they take action soon, the turn over can be accomplished with a minimum of bloodshed.
This is the most amazing demonstration ever seen. Almost 2 million people and no violence anywhere, except where some government thugs attempted to agitate the crowd.
And though it is called The Million Man March, it is the most inclusive agglomeration of Men, Women, Christians, Moslems, seculars, professionals, entertainers, judges and members of organized labor groups.
Relevant Links:
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