Egypt has recently witnessed an unprecedented spate of strikes, demonstrations and protests, with police brutality, deteriorating economic conditions and rigged elections all contributing to the current state of popular frustration with the government. Al-Masry Al-Youm hit the streets of Cairo to ask: “Can protests and demonstrations lead to genuine change?”
Mohamed Khairy, banker: “I strongly support peaceful demonstrations, which show that Egyptians are no longer passive and will not remain silent in the face of injustice. We are in dire need of demonstrations and protests–especially in light of deteriorating conditions–in order to confront the oppression we have been suffering for so long.”
Amer Abdel Shafy, factory worker: “Protesting is the first step towards democracy. The government left us no other way to express our frustration. We shouldn’t stop condemning official corruption, because this can really make a difference. The sit-ins in front of the Shura Council and People’s Assembly forced officials to reconsider, and agree to, some workers’ demands.”
Ahmed Salama, pharmacist: “The government fears demonstrations since they could potentially lead to a coup d’etat. At first, Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif said he would allow demonstrations as long as they remained peaceful. But after a growing number of sit-ins in front of parliament, workers were forced to leave without having their demands met. Dozens of demonstrators were arrested and beaten by security forces, even though they were protesting non-violently. This proves that freedom of expression and democracy do not exist in our country.”
Magdy Mohamed, kiosk owner: “Protesting is just one path, which will soon be closed. Egyptians have been protesting in vain against the Mubarak regime since 2004. The government intends to let citizens protest, as if Egypt were a democratic country. Ultimately, though, the government cares about nothing except its own interests. Gamal Mubarak will win upcoming presidential elections through fraud–just like what happened in the Shura Council elections. Consequently, nothing will change. The new guard will replace the old one, but official corruption will remain the norm.”
Salwa Abdel Fatah, executive manager: “Strikes used to have a stronger impact, but over time they became a tired and familiar scene. Now, people are staging demonstrations for trivial reasons, like the father that protested so his daughter could attend primary school. Strikes and demonstrations distort Egypt’s image. The press exploits them for news material in order to show how miserable the people are. Also, talk shows have nothing to discuss except how workers are sleeping in the streets for months on end. All of this serves to degrade Egypt in the eyes of the world.”
