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The number one request made by Egyptian activists of allies in other countries is to have their voice heard in solidarity at various Egyptian embassies and consulates.
A lot of snipping, but go here for the full post. I believe that it is imperative that those of us who desire freedom and peace in this world to show our support for those who are doing their best to actually get it. This is not nation building or exporting democracy, but showing our support for those who are pursuing democracy and freedom from oppression in the proper way – for themselves.
But allies around the United States are not remaining silent, and Amnesty members are looking to assist. With tens of thousands of Egyptians hitting the street across the country today on “Angry Friday,” this is an ideal moment to contact the embassy in the US to express our concerns:
1. For the Egyptian government to allow peaceful demonstrations and rein in their security forces
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3. The government must cease all efforts to block the Internet, social media tools or impede the normal flow of communications. In addition, security forces must end reported assaults on numerous reporters, both Egyptian and foreign. Such actions constitute an outrageous violation of the freedom of speech.
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Demonstrations have already been held in San Francisco, New York and DC. AIUSA’s office has organized a rally outside the consulate in Chicago at noon Saturday, Jan. 29. For more information on that rally, contact shaunharkin@gmail.com and dickreilly@aol.com. Information about other rallies will be posted as information is available.
But if you don’t live near a consulate, please call and call today to the Egyptian embassy. Emails sent to its public address are bouncing back, but telephone is working. The address is 3521 International Ct. NW Washington DC 20008. Phone: 202.895.5400. Fax: 202.244.4319.
A complete list of consulates can be found here.
Finally, there is also US government work to do. We are receiving reports from Egypt that tear gas canisters and other weapons used against the protesters have been made in the United States. It is imperative that the U.S. government investigate whether any of this material has been used in a manner that would violate the Leahy Law or other regulations that prohibit the use of US aid to violate human rights.
Go and do.
Related articles
- Egypt protests: Hillary Clinton’s statement in full (telegraph.co.uk)
- Transcript: Obama Speaks on Egypt Protests, Violence (politicsdaily.com)
- Politicians, Groups Speak out on Egyptian Internet Blocking (pcworld.com)
- Time for Canada to finally speak up for Egyptian people, experts say (canada.com)
- Australian Egyptians rally behind protesters – ABC Online (news.google.com)
- Did The US Help An Egyptian Opposition Figure? (andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com)
- Protesters in New York Area Take Aim at U.S. Position on Egypt (cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com)
Joel L. Watts holds a Masters of Arts from United Theological Seminary with a focus in literary and rhetorical criticism of the New Testament. His interests include exploring the role of mimesis in human civilization, specifically in the study of religion and media, as well as science fiction and the way in which it has allowed mythology to be explored in light of scientific discoveries of the past century. He is the author of Mimetic Criticism of the Gospel of Mark: Introduction and Commentary (Wipf and Stock, 2013) and a co-editor and contributor to From Fear to Faith: Stories of Hitting Spiritual Walls (Energion, 2013).
Website: → Unsettled Christianity
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