Reply #107: I'll be your huckleberry. [View All]

[Zorra]

2011 Egyptian revolution


The 2011 Egyptian revolution (Arabic: ثورة ٢٥ يناير‎ thawret 25 yanāyir, Revolution of 25 January) took place following a popular uprising that began on Tuesday, 25 January 2011 and is still continuing as of September 2011. The uprising was mainly a campaign of non-violent civil resistance, which featured a series of demonstrations, marches, acts of civil disobedience, and labour strikes. Millions of protesters from a variety of socio-economic and religious backgrounds demanded the overthrow of the regime of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. Despite being predominantly peaceful in nature, the revolution was not without violent clashes between security forces and protesters, with at least 846 people killed and 6,000 injured.<22><23> The uprising took place in Cairo, Alexandria, and in other cities in Egypt, following the Tunisian Revolution that saw the overthrow of the long-time Tunisian president. On 11 February, following weeks of determined popular protest and pressure, Mubarak resigned from office.

Grievances of Egyptian protesters were focused on legal and political issues<24> including police brutality,<1> state of emergency laws,<1> lack of free elections and freedom of speech,<2> uncontrollable corruption,<2> and economic issues including high unemployment,<3> food price inflation,<3> and low minimum wages.<1><3> The primary demands from protest organizers were the end of the Hosni Mubarak regime and the end of emergency law; freedom, justice, a responsive non-military government, and a say in the management of Egypt's resources.<25> Strikes by labour unions added to the pressure on government officials.<26>

During the uprising the capital city of Cairo was described as "a war zone,"<27> and the port city of Suez was the scene of frequent violent clashes. The government imposed a curfew that protesters defied and that the police and military did not enforce. The presence of Egypt's Central Security Forces police, loyal to Mubarak, was gradually replaced by largely restrained military troops. In the absence of police, there was looting by gangs that opposition sources said were instigated by plainclothes police officers. In response, watch groups were organised by civilians to protect neighbourhoods.<28><29><30><31><32>

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Egyptian_revolution

Should be self-explanatory. People get "trickled down" on for too long, they start to fight back. They see injustice going on for too long, they react.

Most of us here, myself included, don't really agree with your ridicule of the protesters. We see them as our representatives, and applaud them and encourage them and many of us wish we were in a position to be there, and would be there if we could.

I was in Seattle. Our primary intent was to make the world aware of the WTO.

We marched through the streets chanting "The Whole World Is Watching" as police pepper sprayed us, beat us with billy clubs, and hauled many of us off to jail.

But we obviously got the point across, as is the Wall St. Occupation.

The problem is, you are dissing heroes, and seem to be inferring that they are whiny criminals. People that are taking baby steps for necessary change, change that can no longer come about through the political process because the political process is owned by Wall St.

The time for talking is over. Nobody is going to PM you and chit chat on alternative systems that some of us have been promoting for 40 yrs. now.

The protesters are waving our flag in front of the halls of dictatorship, risking their freedom and their health. Bless their beautiful hearts.

These circumstances naturally call into question the motivation for your OP on a democratically oriented message board.

We are Anonymous, and we are legion.

Get up. Stand up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7iXcKKpdx0