The April 6 Youth Movement on Wednesday announced its launch of a media campaign titled “I’m an April 6 Youth Movement Member” to refute accusations it says politicians and military leaders level against the activist group.
Presidential hopeful Amr Moussa, who was assaulted during a popular conference he held in Sharqiya on Monday, accused a “saboteur youth movement” on Tuesday of perpetrating the assault, which the movement said was as an allusion to April 6.
“The campaign will say the truth about us, particularly since [former President Hosni] Mubarak’s media — currently a tool in the hands of the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces — is still working to tarnish the image of the revolution and revolutionaries,” the movement said in a statement.
The campaign will include screening videos to explain the goals of the movement and the phases of its development, as well as organizing other public awareness activities across the nation, the statement said.
The movement said the first event will be an art exhibition titled “Know about us, save us or label us traitors — but with evidence.” The group says the event, to be held at Cairo University, will present its true image and answer any criticism.
Inji Ali, a founding member of the movement, said the campaign is intended to respond to accusations of treason made by SCAF members such as Major General Hassan al-Roweiny, who claimed the movement received funds from foreign countries and that its members were trained abroad.
Ali said Roweiny failed to support his accusations with evidence, adding that the movement has filed a lawsuit against him. But the law is not being implemented indiscriminately, she said.
Movement members have shared a deep love for the country since the group’s establishment in 2008, and it struggled against the corrupt regime of Mubarak and is still fighting for freedom and social justice, she said.
“Everyone who has spread lies and rumors should apologize. All of SCAF’s generals should apologize for making false accusations, particularly after the Justice Ministry’s fact-finding committee acquitted us of charges of receiving foreign funds,” Ali said.
Translated from Al-Masry Al-Youm
