Yesterday some of us from AmnestyBrum joined the rally in Trafalgar Square in solidarity with Egypt & the Middle East & North Africa. We joined the hundreds of people who took part, wearing Egyptian flags and colours and waving signs reading “Egypt is free” and “In Solidarity, In Defiance“.
It was amazing to see so many people there and from such a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, from students and young children in pushchairs, to the Burmese human rights activists with placards in support of Egyptian demonstrators. This was a moving reminder of the international solidarity and the generosity of spirit of people striving for human rights.
During the afternoon Trafalgar Square fell silent for a few moments as everyone took time to remember those who lost their lives in Tunisia and Egypt in the previous weeks.
There were many speakers, including the upbeat and inspiring youth activists from Egypt, Syria, Tunisia and across the region, who took to the stage to speak of their hopes for a future where their rights are respected and freedom of expression is for all. These included an 11 year old boy from Algeria, as well as an Egyptian man who had just returned to London from Tahrir Square as part of the protests there.
Salil Shetty, Amnesty’s secretary general, took to the stage to record a message of solidarity for the people of Egypt, and described the day as both a celebration and a protest. The atmosphere was one of hope as well as an awareness of the long journey ahead towards human rights for all.
For those interested in watching footage of the day’s speakers:
http://bambuser.com/channel/feb12global/broadcast/1408586
http://bambuser.com/channel/feb12global/broadcast/1408696
Thanks Laura, great coverage
It was a moving day, so many people who really care. The world can be made a better place.
Jon.
[Still not sure about that dodgy bloke in the woolly hat in the picture though!
].
Thanks for such a great write-up
Dear Brum/AI Pals,
In an ideal world (which it ain’t!) we wouldn’t need anyone to
represent us, not even at Nelson’s Column – we would all be
there! But, how nice to share Laura’s enthusiasm of the day,
also with two friends (one wearing a tea-cosy!). No exaggeration to say the Egypt events are part of world history – or is that counting the chickens, before they hatch?
“Egypt is free” – we do hope so. But a word of caution (time to return those grumpy masks?). Revolutions, throughout the ages, haven’t always lived up to expectations. E.g. the French
Revolution, or the Russian one of 1917, taken over by the Bolsheviks. Or the Iranian Revolution (do any of you remember it?), freeing the country of the Shah’s bloody rule,
only to be taken over by….well, we know it all too well. About
Egypt. The former regime, including Mobarak, was, very much,
of a military nature. Now the military are, yet again, in control.
So far, the soldiers have sided with the demonstraters – or so
it appeared. Are they worthy, trusty friends and brothers?
Maybe. But, as Laura, rightly, points out, “The atmosphere
was one of hope, as well as awareness of the long journey
ahead…” May that journey take the Egyptian people to the
kind of society they so richly deserve.
Bert.