Young Egyptians have been at the forefront of the current revolution as millions continue to take to the streets in protests rare in size and ferocity, posing a serious challenge to a ‘ruthless military dictatorship’ at a time when many Egyptians complain of economic stagnation, political repression, constraints on their freedom of expression and a flawed Middle East policy in Washington.
While listening to a call-in radio show one Egyptian praising Mubarak said, “The educated started this whole mess over Facebook and Twitter. They were the ones ordered people into the streets and it’s a shame that they never informed the president of their concerns.”
Soon after Friday prayers in the midst of men leaving a young man emerges from the crowd and starts the call and everyone in the area follows, then the streets start to fill and the march was on. People started handing out red cards and taking out their Egyptian flags.
For over a week the people have taken to the streets to voice their outrage. Silence that once ruled Egyptian life had been broken and the spirits of the people were free. People were united.
The storm continues to gain momentum as Egyptians – young, old, male and female; westernized and traditional continue to pour into Tahrir Square in unprecedented numbers in hopes of fulfilling a common vision that so many had silently hoped for. The end of living under a dictator – but not just any dictator – Hosni Mubarak is a staunch US-ally and backed by all the Western powers.
“The elders always spoke about the great Egypt during the 60′s. My generation has watched it become merely insignificant… until now. Amazing how one Tunisian man who set himself on fire started all these revolts. One person can really make a difference,” says one protestor.
“I’m excited to be alive to witness this new exhilarating wave of youth-inspired demand for freedom and dignity sweeping across the Arab world.”
Egypt’s population of about 85 million, which constitute a third of the Arab world, is growing by 2 percent a year. Two thirds of the population is under 30, and that age group accounts for 90 percent of the jobless. About 40 percent live on less than $2 a day, and a third are illiterate.
In exchange for keeping his party in power and pockets full Mubarak sells the soul of his people and country to the highest bidder.
Opponents of his regime has faced nearly 30 years of backlash as freedom of speech, democracy and freedom of assembly have been banned with the support of Western allies.
Following a call on Friday by US President Barack Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had this to say during an interview on Wednesday:
“We recognize the volatility of the situation, and we are trying to do exactly what I have just said – to promote orderly transition and change that will respond to the legitimate grievances of the Egyptian people, which is what the protests are all about. I don’t think anyone wants to see instability, chaos, increasing violence. That is not in anyone’s interest.
So what President Obama and I have been doing is sending a very clear message about where the United States stands. We want to see an orderly transition to a democratic government, to economic reforms exactly what the protestors are seeking. At the same time, we want to recognize Egypt has been our partner. They’ve been our partner in a peace process that has kept the region from war for over 30 years, which has saved a lot of lives, Egyptian lives, Israeli lives, other lives.
We want to continue to make it absolutely a American priority that what we’ve been saying for 30 years is that real stability rests in democracy, participation, economic opportunity. How we get from where we are to where we know the Egyptian people want to be and deserve to be is what this is about now. So we are urging the Mubarak government, which is still in power; we are urging the military, which is a very respected institution in Egypt, to do what is necessary to facilitate that kind of orderly transition.”
“The US gives Mubarak $1.8 billion a year. $1.6 billion goes to their pockets and the other $0.2 billion goes to development of infrastructure,” one Egyptian youth responded. “We have so much potential in this country but they don’t let the young use it!”
In fact, behind the scenes, the Obama administration in 2010 cut aid for democracy promotion in Egypt by as much as 50 per cent. A staunch US ally in the region, the US government shells out billions a year in taxpayer money for military aid, which is in turn used to repress millions of people.
Many Egyptians are convinced that the US is playing double standards especially after their silent reaction to the rigged elections and their continued insistence on the stability of the government, despite making public statements that they are with the people.
“The international community needs to tell their leaders, especially the US, to stop paying the pay checks of the Egyptian leaders and the military,” adds Ali.
The youth are becoming impatient and after several televised speeches by Mubarak, many become enraged.
“They’re up to something. He used words to try and make it seem like he was silent because he wanted to give us the right to express and that he’s proud of the youth,” added another. “He’s not interested in what we’re expressing. Reshuffling the cabinet is not our demands; we want him out of power. Kefaya!”
One of the organizers who had been resting on the floor after being shot in the leg and head by pellets emerged and said, “This is unacceptable. We cannot lose focus we must continue to organize peaceful demonstrations and press forward until our final goal is realized, which is Mubarak out of power.”
Various youth movements are also demanding a rise in the minimum wage, unemployment benefits, an end to martial law, release of political prisoners, and constitutional changes.
However, despite attempts by the local media to stereotype the popular uprising as being instigated by saboteurs whose sole interest is to disrupt national unity, men from all generations and classes have taken to the streets to secure their neighborhoods and to fill a void left vacant by the police and military.
“You know before this happened I was starting to hate living in Egypt because people were becoming so selfish as a means of survival. The kindness and giving spirit that used to be Egyptian culture was being lost but now since this has started the Egyptian spirit is returning,” a young female protestor said. “Seeing and hearing that young men are going down and protecting their neighborhoods makes me proud to be Egyptian.”
