UPDATE: July 18, 10:00 am (original post below)
- Though sit ins continue, as have attempted disruptions to traffic at major intersections in downtown, things have relatively calmed down the past few days. That's not a sound of "all clear" from the capital of Egypt, but it is promising to note that the headlines recently have not been mourning continued tragic clashes, but now offer investigative reporting and serious commentary on where Egypt goes from where we are now. Here are some of those articles, a few of which warn against resuming cycles of wrong that Egypt should learn from and prevent from repeating...
- Last week, we posted "Are Egypt's Christians Being Attacked?" in response to a CNN video that led their website's homepage. The BBC did not want to be left out, so they made a video of their own (see below), while other reports have also been circulating with headlines intending to create a hysteric appeal, such as "Christians flee villages in Egypt's North Sinai after terrifying murders" - again, as you watch and read these things, we know that there have been a string of sectarian violence against Christians, but the overwhelming majority of Christians in Egypt are not running or living in fear but continue about their business and their worship peacefully. The potential for sectarian attacks exist here, of course, but sometimes the headlines infer a level of persecution that is just not legitimate; however, this BBC report does properly relate that the sectarian strife now has a political component now after the ouster of former President Morsi.
- A recent Reuter's report titled "Egypt's 'road not taken' could have saved Mursi" appeared through various news sites like Yahoo and got a lot of attention in Egypt. The report shared how the European Union (EU) not only attempted to help mediate a process months ahead of June 30 to ease tensions for the controversial leadership of President Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood, but that the proposal had the backing of the US, as well. The proposed EU deal actually echoed several of the "promises" made during the Fairmont Agreement, but President Morsi again refused to compromise on positions such as replacing the Prime Minister. In a follow-up report, apparently the EU was still offering proposals to the Muslim Brotherhood, but they have refused those efforts too, stating, "We are relying only on ourselves."
- The Human Rights Watch (HRW) and other organizations and media outlets are attempting to gather information, video, and interviews relating to the Republican Guard Headquarters clash that resulted in 51 dead on July 8. This HRW article provides the longest list of details that we have seen so far and leans to a military response that went too far.
- "What's Next for the Muslim Brotherhood?" is an excellent article by Bassem Sabry who asks and hypothesizes along several questions and scenarios as the MB and Islamist's demonstrations prepare to conclude their third week. He begins by detailing what appears to be a three-pronged strategy of the MB presently, as well as discussing how their goal of a Morsi reinstatement could be obtained and what that would cost Egypt; but since these possibility seem remote at best, he concludes with what he perceives to be the remaining options for the MB.
- The best of all these articles by far, is actually a serious take from a comedic source. Dr. Bassem Youssef (best known as the Middle East's Jon Stewart, and one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People) wrote a brilliant warning to those Egyptians riding the "victory high". In the wake of seeing the success of June 30, Youssef warns against becoming the type of government and society they had just sought to overthrow; he calls for a thorough investigation of the Republican Guard incident, and a return to broadcast rights for the Islamist media outlets who have been taken off-air since the ouster of former President Morsi. The article, "Alas, Nobody Lives There Anymore," was translated to English by Tahrir Squared. This article is a great way to conclude this post we titled "Here We Go Again" from earlier in the week.
10:45 pm UPDATE (July 16)
- more clashes expected tonight? nothing coming through from reporters who post on Twitter--yet? this linked article also provides a brief video of the events last night
- Egypt's new Cabinet officials sworn in - this article provides brief bios and responsibility descriptions
1:45pm UPDATE (July 16)
- Updated news reports indicate that 7 died and more than 200 injured as a result of clashes in Cairo last night -- these are totals from the Ramses incidents mentioned below, and additional incidents that were taking place in Giza, where sporadic clashes have been experienced since gunfire was exchanged at a Cairo University pro-Morsi demonstration a couple of weeks ago, which resulted in deaths. Unsurprisingly, opponents have opposing views and blame in statements made this morning, which are also referenced in the linked article. One interesting note in this article is that demonstrators are/were (?) stopping cars and checking the identification cards of people attempting to pass through Ramses square.
- In Alexandria last night, demonstrations took place at the newly established US Consulate there to protest against the US for their perceived role in the ouster or former-President Morsi, and to demand the removal of US Ambassador Ann Patterson, who has continually been referenced poorly by both sides of the Morsi-situation. According to the linked article, the Alexandria area spokesman for the Muslim Brotherhood said, "it has come clear to the Egyptian people that the US administration took part in plotting the coup". UPDATE 16:18pm - Wait a minute; did it happen or didn't. Now US Embassy claims that NO pro-Morsi protest took place in front of the Alexandria Consulate on July 15???
ORIGINAL POST... (July 16, 2013)
As mentioned on the blog before, I'm a big fan of the creativity of the band OkGo, who really came on the music scene through their homemade, hit video to their song, "Here It Goes Again." This video, shown here, easily went viral through YouTube as people repeatedly watched and shared the dizzying display of "dance" on treadmills while lip-syncing their hit song.
The thing about this video, and treadmills in general, is there's an awful lot of activity that leads to nowhere -- just as they're still in the same room as when they began, so people on treadmills can run for miles and still be in the same place.
Has Egypt been on a treadmill?
Last night, clashes renewed in downtown and across different governorates of Egypt as the Muslim Brotherhood called for demonstrations that would become "civil acts of disobedience" to step up their demands of having ousted President Morsi reinstated.
Al Jazeera English showed live footage of the police discharging tear gas at protestors and offered commentary on the continuing or escalating clashes for quite some time.
This article from Ahram Online offers a better, concise description of events "Pro-Morsi protestors clash with police".
From what we were gathering last night through various Twitter reports and other news outlets is that
sometime after people had broken the fast with the evening meal, pro-Morsi/legitimacy supporters used trucks to block the 6th October bridge leading away from the direction of Ramses and Tahrir Squares and toward Zamalek. This, inevitably, led to arguments and fights among motorists who were attempting to use the bridges and were now stacked up in lines of cars. While the police and security forces were receiving news of these beginning fights, protestors began building walls on the bridge.
While security forces and police begin to arrive on the scene, protestors had been filling the nearby Ramses Square, which also led to fights with the vendors in the area, who had become upset with their own loss of business. While the protestors shouted at the gathering police "peaceful, peaceful", the vendors and some protestors began fighting -- some of the protestors retreated into side streets where residents also began fighting with the protestors. There were reports of birdshot, as well as a lot sticks and rocks being used.
Before a lot of security forces and police showed up to the area of trouble, they appear to cut off a march from one side of town that was moving toward Ramses and the bridge.
Back at the bridge, tear gas was shot to try to disperse the crowds and those on the bridge, but this actually just fueled the fighting. There were reports of protestors taking pictures and showing video of the tear gas canisters that said, "Made in USA" to prove that the U.S. is behind or at least backing the military. As the fighting continued, apparently birdshot had also been used, leading to injuries, but thankfully no reported deaths. One of the last reports we read were the arrival of more "troops" at the square.
Not sure how this all ended, reports just seemed to fizzle as the night went on.
It is interesting to note the residents and vendors in the area beginning to attack or at least express their frustration at the protestors. The "peaceful" protests have exacerbated the public and are leading to a loss of sympathy and favor. Though the MB and Islamic Alliance marches seem to have gained supporters at last night's demonstration points, they apparently also gained opposition that had previously been quiet on the sidelines. Obviously, this does not improve the security situation in Egypt nor make the role of the police and security officers any easier.
So, after days of relative calm that has allowed the interim government to meet with the US Deputy Secretary of State, and the continuation of the attempt to create a diverse Cabinet, the tension just erupts all at once.
There was a lot of news, a lot happening, and nothing went anywhere.
Pray for Egypt...
- Though sit ins continue, as have attempted disruptions to traffic at major intersections in downtown, things have relatively calmed down the past few days. That's not a sound of "all clear" from the capital of Egypt, but it is promising to note that the headlines recently have not been mourning continued tragic clashes, but now offer investigative reporting and serious commentary on where Egypt goes from where we are now. Here are some of those articles, a few of which warn against resuming cycles of wrong that Egypt should learn from and prevent from repeating...
- Last week, we posted "Are Egypt's Christians Being Attacked?" in response to a CNN video that led their website's homepage. The BBC did not want to be left out, so they made a video of their own (see below), while other reports have also been circulating with headlines intending to create a hysteric appeal, such as "Christians flee villages in Egypt's North Sinai after terrifying murders" - again, as you watch and read these things, we know that there have been a string of sectarian violence against Christians, but the overwhelming majority of Christians in Egypt are not running or living in fear but continue about their business and their worship peacefully. The potential for sectarian attacks exist here, of course, but sometimes the headlines infer a level of persecution that is just not legitimate; however, this BBC report does properly relate that the sectarian strife now has a political component now after the ouster of former President Morsi.
- A recent Reuter's report titled "Egypt's 'road not taken' could have saved Mursi" appeared through various news sites like Yahoo and got a lot of attention in Egypt. The report shared how the European Union (EU) not only attempted to help mediate a process months ahead of June 30 to ease tensions for the controversial leadership of President Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood, but that the proposal had the backing of the US, as well. The proposed EU deal actually echoed several of the "promises" made during the Fairmont Agreement, but President Morsi again refused to compromise on positions such as replacing the Prime Minister. In a follow-up report, apparently the EU was still offering proposals to the Muslim Brotherhood, but they have refused those efforts too, stating, "We are relying only on ourselves."
- The Human Rights Watch (HRW) and other organizations and media outlets are attempting to gather information, video, and interviews relating to the Republican Guard Headquarters clash that resulted in 51 dead on July 8. This HRW article provides the longest list of details that we have seen so far and leans to a military response that went too far.
- "What's Next for the Muslim Brotherhood?" is an excellent article by Bassem Sabry who asks and hypothesizes along several questions and scenarios as the MB and Islamist's demonstrations prepare to conclude their third week. He begins by detailing what appears to be a three-pronged strategy of the MB presently, as well as discussing how their goal of a Morsi reinstatement could be obtained and what that would cost Egypt; but since these possibility seem remote at best, he concludes with what he perceives to be the remaining options for the MB.
 |
| this publicity photo appears with the Tahrir Squared article |
- The best of all these articles by far, is actually a serious take from a comedic source. Dr. Bassem Youssef (best known as the Middle East's Jon Stewart, and one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People) wrote a brilliant warning to those Egyptians riding the "victory high". In the wake of seeing the success of June 30, Youssef warns against becoming the type of government and society they had just sought to overthrow; he calls for a thorough investigation of the Republican Guard incident, and a return to broadcast rights for the Islamist media outlets who have been taken off-air since the ouster of former President Morsi. The article, "Alas, Nobody Lives There Anymore," was translated to English by Tahrir Squared. This article is a great way to conclude this post we titled "Here We Go Again" from earlier in the week.
10:45 pm UPDATE (July 16)
 |
| picture from english.alarabiya.net |
- more clashes expected tonight? nothing coming through from reporters who post on Twitter--yet? this linked article also provides a brief video of the events last night
- Egypt's new Cabinet officials sworn in - this article provides brief bios and responsibility descriptions
1:45pm UPDATE (July 16)
- Updated news reports indicate that 7 died and more than 200 injured as a result of clashes in Cairo last night -- these are totals from the Ramses incidents mentioned below, and additional incidents that were taking place in Giza, where sporadic clashes have been experienced since gunfire was exchanged at a Cairo University pro-Morsi demonstration a couple of weeks ago, which resulted in deaths. Unsurprisingly, opponents have opposing views and blame in statements made this morning, which are also referenced in the linked article. One interesting note in this article is that demonstrators are/were (?) stopping cars and checking the identification cards of people attempting to pass through Ramses square.
- In Alexandria last night, demonstrations took place at the newly established US Consulate there to protest against the US for their perceived role in the ouster or former-President Morsi, and to demand the removal of US Ambassador Ann Patterson, who has continually been referenced poorly by both sides of the Morsi-situation. According to the linked article, the Alexandria area spokesman for the Muslim Brotherhood said, "it has come clear to the Egyptian people that the US administration took part in plotting the coup". UPDATE 16:18pm - Wait a minute; did it happen or didn't. Now US Embassy claims that NO pro-Morsi protest took place in front of the Alexandria Consulate on July 15???
ORIGINAL POST... (July 16, 2013)
As mentioned on the blog before, I'm a big fan of the creativity of the band OkGo, who really came on the music scene through their homemade, hit video to their song, "Here It Goes Again." This video, shown here, easily went viral through YouTube as people repeatedly watched and shared the dizzying display of "dance" on treadmills while lip-syncing their hit song.
The thing about this video, and treadmills in general, is there's an awful lot of activity that leads to nowhere -- just as they're still in the same room as when they began, so people on treadmills can run for miles and still be in the same place.
Has Egypt been on a treadmill?
Last night, clashes renewed in downtown and across different governorates of Egypt as the Muslim Brotherhood called for demonstrations that would become "civil acts of disobedience" to step up their demands of having ousted President Morsi reinstated.
Al Jazeera English showed live footage of the police discharging tear gas at protestors and offered commentary on the continuing or escalating clashes for quite some time.
This article from Ahram Online offers a better, concise description of events "Pro-Morsi protestors clash with police".
From what we were gathering last night through various Twitter reports and other news outlets is that
 |
| tear gas fills the air near Ramses Square with part of 6th October Bridge in background (picture via Al Jazeera, credited to Twitter account of Ahmed Eltawil) |
While security forces and police begin to arrive on the scene, protestors had been filling the nearby Ramses Square, which also led to fights with the vendors in the area, who had become upset with their own loss of business. While the protestors shouted at the gathering police "peaceful, peaceful", the vendors and some protestors began fighting -- some of the protestors retreated into side streets where residents also began fighting with the protestors. There were reports of birdshot, as well as a lot sticks and rocks being used.
Before a lot of security forces and police showed up to the area of trouble, they appear to cut off a march from one side of town that was moving toward Ramses and the bridge.
Back at the bridge, tear gas was shot to try to disperse the crowds and those on the bridge, but this actually just fueled the fighting. There were reports of protestors taking pictures and showing video of the tear gas canisters that said, "Made in USA" to prove that the U.S. is behind or at least backing the military. As the fighting continued, apparently birdshot had also been used, leading to injuries, but thankfully no reported deaths. One of the last reports we read were the arrival of more "troops" at the square.
Not sure how this all ended, reports just seemed to fizzle as the night went on.
It is interesting to note the residents and vendors in the area beginning to attack or at least express their frustration at the protestors. The "peaceful" protests have exacerbated the public and are leading to a loss of sympathy and favor. Though the MB and Islamic Alliance marches seem to have gained supporters at last night's demonstration points, they apparently also gained opposition that had previously been quiet on the sidelines. Obviously, this does not improve the security situation in Egypt nor make the role of the police and security officers any easier.
So, after days of relative calm that has allowed the interim government to meet with the US Deputy Secretary of State, and the continuation of the attempt to create a diverse Cabinet, the tension just erupts all at once.
There was a lot of news, a lot happening, and nothing went anywhere.
Pray for Egypt...
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