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London will demonstrate in solidarity with Libya

February 21, 2011
Activism
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Each Arab state is different, just as every other country in the world has its own character and flavour. Whilst Tunisians were able to oust their dictator in a relatively short period of time, Egyptians were forced to hold their ground in Tahrir square for much longer. Now the revolution has well and truly spread and the world has seen that some have to fight even harder for their freedom.

Libyans are being killed by their own leader for daring to stand up to his tyrannical regime that has lasted for more than four decades. Whilst he shows images of cheering crowds on Libyan state TV, Muammar al-Gaddafi’s citizens are being murdered on the streets by his hired melicia and fired on by planes in Tripoli. More than 300 Libyans have died since this revolution started with many more suffering injuries too horrific to even show on television.

The world is watching on, shocked, but for now only watching. It took President Obama’s administration until 5pm to issue a statement on the matter and when it did come it was simply to express condemnation of what was happening. It is our governments that fund the weapons that are killing Libyans (and others) all around the world and now they are cautious to say anything. Coincidently, David Cameron took arms dealers to Egypt today as part of his Middle East tour. We must call for a stop to be put to this kind of murderous profiteering, sooner rather than later.

Just as we should urge our government to do something about the genocide being committed against Libyans by their ruler. It has become hard to watch the images emerging out of Libya, a lot of it is too harrowing even to show on television.

Attend the demonstration at Downing Street today, 3pm. Coaches left Didsbury Mosque, Manchester at 8am – I hope you were on them. Bring your family, friends and anyone else who cares about democracy, freedom of speech and the lives of Libyans.

This is a universal battle. Don’t let Libyans fight alone.

~Wail

London celebrates Egypt’s victory

February 12, 2011
International
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As I made my way to The Free School for another session, Twitter broke the news that the world had been holding it’s breath for since January 25th: the Egyptian President, Hosni Mubarak, had resigned.

I decided to make my way to the Egyptian embassy to see the celebrations for myself. All the demonstrators were good spirited, giving out chocolates to the police and public and generally ecstatic that their country was free of Hosni Mubarak’s rule after 30 years.

Here are the images:

And then the party was moved to Edgware Road:

~Wail

Coptic – Muslim solidarity in Egypt?

February 5, 2011
International
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Recently this powerful image was spread around Twitter showing the solidarity between Coptic Christians and Muslims in their fight against the Mubarak regime. As the Christians protected Muslims during their prayers in Tahrir square, it was clear to the world that on this issue they stood together.

Prayers in Tahrir Square

However today I spoke to three Egyptian Coptic Christians about the protests in Egypt and they all questioned the motives behind this solidarity. They explained to me that they felt the only reason they protected each other and stood together in this issue was out of fear for their own position.

Both Christian and Muslim feel that once the Mubarak regieme is gone, the other group may have a very real chance of getting into office and compromising the other’s standing in Egypt. It is apparently for fear of what the other might do that they stand together for now, and I stress that ‘for now’. Once the revolution has taken place there will be a power vacuum to be filled and many are already scared of what is to come.

This certainly brought the issue of ‘what next?’ to the forefront for me. My initial concerns in the early days of protest was whether there would be something sustainable in place to replace Mubarak. As the days went on the issue fell out of my mind, but it seems it is still a consideration on the streets of Egypt where everyone may be strengthening up their own position whilst the President dithers over when he will leave.

~Wail

We live together, or we die together at the British Museum

February 2, 2011
Activism
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Side step one security guard, avoid the grips of another, dash towards the stairs of the British Museum. Why? In solidarity with those protesting in Egypt and defending their countries (amazing) heritage from looters and vandals.

Simply put, it is most satisfying to make a few security guards a little more than miffed and almost certainly confused to show that you support the efforts of those so many miles away. They maybe dealing with their own issues, but we stand in solidarity with them no matter what happens – even if it does mean a member of security, at a top London museum may I quickly add, doesn’t recognise the importance of this little inconvenience and calls you ‘idiots’ as you leave.

The credit for such an act of solidarity goes to everyone at the Really Free School. They are simply amazing there, so if you haven’t been down to a session already you are more than missing out.

British Museum Egypt Solidarity

Find more images on the Free School website by clicking the one above.

~Wail

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