Do you believe in freedom?
In Egypt on Thursday January 25, 2011, thousands of people began taking to the streets in protest of poverty, unemployment, government corruption, and the autocratic governance of President Hosni Mubarak, who has ruled the country for the past thirty years. Two-thirds of Egypt’s population have never known a leader other than him.
The government first responded by blocking Twitter, then proceeded to block Facebook, and finally all internet services and text messaging. This not only enraged Egyptian citizens, but also brought more attention to the uprising. Riot police have arrested and injured hundreds with batons, tear gas, and water cannons. National and international human rights activists and journalists have been detained, Egyptians have been arrested and tortured, and more than three hundred people have been killed, according to Human Rights Watch. These protests, inspired by the successful revolution in Tunisia which ousted President Ben Ali, have been the largest in Egypt since the 1970s.
Do you believe in freedom of speech, freedom of choice, freedom of press, freedom of religion?
Do you believe you’re free?
Dua Netjer en ek! (Thank you in Ancient Egyptian), NCS
