IndyMedia - Vrij Media Centrum Nederland

Wanneer: 19/11/2012 - 20:45

Trainers from Rebelact (the Amsterdam Rebel Clowns) were again in Egypt to give another Basic Rebel Clown Training, presentations and accompany performances on the streets. In the mean time a revolution started... Western media suggest the demonstations started in response to President Morsi's speech: not true - the demonstrations at Tahrir Square in Caïro already started Monday, November 19th.

A report about the rebel clown activities in Egypt from November 10th till 24th will follow later. Let's start with a report about the new revolution:

Monday, November 19th was the first large demonstration at and near Tahrir Square. Thousands of people gather at the Mohamed El Mahmoud Street to commemorate more than 40 deaths one year back when special police forces opened fire. Hundreds of people were wounded that date in 2011.
One of them was Ahmad Harara, who first lost one eye in the fight against President Mubarak and in November 2011 lost his second eye in the fight against the military.

It's impressive to see the mother of one of the demonstrators who had been killed in 2011. She sits on a chair below a portrait at the great graffiti wall in the Mohammed El Mahmoud Street. Many people pay respect and give her a hug. She's not the only one; also widows from others who have been murdered by the police join the demonstration.

It's not only a commemoration: people are angry about the walls build by the police to close down several entrances (streets) to Tahrir Square. Next to it it's a fight for real democracy, a fight against corruption, a fight for social justice and much more.

Tuesday, November 20th more than 60 people get wounded. One death: Mohamed Gaber, member of the 6 April Youth pro-democracy movement.
More people join the demonstrations around Tahrir Square.

Wednesday, November 21st: another day of demonstrations. Again a lot of people get wounded.

Thursday, November 22nd: the day President Morsi tries to get absolute power. The movement around Tahrir Square gets bigger.

Friday, November 23rd: the whole week builds up for this day. The demonstration "Eyes of Freedom". Now things get better organised. Improvised entrances to Tahrir Square, organised groups with own demonstrations, improvised hospitals, etc.

Saturday, November 24th: the demonstrations continue. It now really looks like a revolution. There are 'war zones' under control of the police - surrounded by demonstrators. Near the Court there's heavy tension between people from the Moslim Brotherhood and other demonstrators. Loads of police arrive to keep them seperated. People passing by get beaten. The court has been stormed and occupied - against injustice and corruption.

Sunday, November 25th: failed attempts from special police forces to evict the Tahrir Square. For the days after - Tuesday, November 27th should be the next big event. Demonstrations continue and grow further.

It looks like the demonstrations and revolution is again the work of the same people who started January 2011. It's a broad coalition from activists, youngsters, parties, Muslims (who don't support the Brotherhood), etc.
Also in other places in Egypt are demonstrations and protests, especially against the Muslim Brotherhood. For example in Alexandria the office of the party burned.

The special police forces in Caïro act extremely violent: they throw stones back to (unprotected) demonstrators, they shoot tear gas. They might also use another gas which paralyses people: at large distance you feel 'needles' in your eyes (for us it was time to move into another direction).

Another thing which is not mentioned in Western media: the police shoots with bullets which splits in smaller bullets. The reason people get blind by them. Mohamed Gaber, who died Tuesday November 20th had been shot by 7 bullets.

A selection of pictures and possibly also a video will follow in the next days.

Rebelact email address rebelact@ddh.nl
Rebelact website http://www.rebelact.nl