interview with eyewitnesses from Tahrir Square in Cairo on 2/2/2011, which the CWI members (Committee for a Workers International, the German section of the SBA) is
The army, which so far off as "neutral" is trying to dispel the movement now faced by both sides.
What happens now in Cairo?
"On the Tahrir Square and surrounding streets are thousands and thousands of protesters -.. Something I've never seen The demo started in the early morning, now it's already late evening (February 1) Although now been the curfew applies, are still crowds in the square. Here there dense crowds and there is hardly a way through. The whole city center is in the hands of the protest, police officers can be seen anywhere. Although there are still soldiers in the area, but the military presence is barely visible. Selbstverteidigungskommitees with members of different religious affiliation are trying to keep order, they check the papers of passers-fit, that no prohibited items are carried, which may serve to provoke and distribute leaflets with information that codes of conduct to be observed on the court. The dominant self-organization and discipline which prevail here are impressive. There are medical tents, a Press Office and several self-organized food stalls. "
" One of the volunteers told me that he yesterday when a police officer checking the passports discovered (in Egyptian passports profession of the owner is indicated). It transitions the police finally the military. There is obviously an agreement in favor, although it is unclear what makes the army with the extradited. The police, the so-called "police men", it is neither uniform nor in civil allowed to participate in the demonstrations. Many fear their presence could provoke among other demonstrators, which can currently have tragic consequences. "
"The demonstration consists of groups that gather around the speakers with megaphones, the report next to slogans also on the general situation report and disseminate important information. There are meetings take place at the stands of the various political parties around. Among the demonstrators there is a large number of very young militants who are ready to go to extremes. There are many women who participate in the protests. Everyone calls that will not give up until Mubarak falls. once appeared on someone, probably a provocateur, and he cried out that Mubarak had resigned, but he was immediately cut off from the protesters the word, replied "Do not believe the rumors No one should leave the square until the president resigned officially. "The slogans of the movement, however, are directed not only to the person of Mubarak, but against the entire regime."
"If the Internet in Cairo is not working and not get through text messages, so there is a real Informationsnot. Right now, mobile phones. The authorities have banned the broadcasting of Al-Jazeera. I met the head of the Cairo offices of Al-Jazeera who lives in a tent and coordinates the cooperation of its correspondents and camera crews. "
As I walked through the crowd, I had an unexpected encounter. Someone I did not know called my name! He explained I would not know him, but friends are on Facebook. Apparently we had exchanged a few comments about the situation in Egypt. Many people asked me what I do in Cairo, and when I said that I am here to support their struggle, they were surprised and delighted. Tourists also took part in the protests, I heard voices in Italian, English and other languages call slogans. I met two English people who held up a poster in Arabic - "Mubarak, it is time to go, we need a shower again!" Apparently there is no water in some of the hotels. Sometimes there were Egyptians themselves, the posters and leaflets were written in English, so that people who understand international track the television reports of what's going on. Given the information blockade, people know little about the protests, international solidarity with their struggle, but when it transpired, however, that there is such a thing, the many demonstration participants filled with joy. "
Responding to movement
?" There are democratic and social demands: The President shall resign, there are demands for democracy and freedom, for a new constitution, new elections at all levels. I saw a woman with a placard that read: "Should the army to defend us - Yes Should the army control us - no?.?". With In other words, even if the demonstrators, the army should treat nice, but do not take the place of Mubarak.
"Sometimes you see progressive, though not very clear demands, such as" Give back what you've taken the people ", although there is no clear general idea of what this means or how to achieve something. I have slogans to adjust the wage level of prices and for a $ 200 minimum seen. But in general there is no such thing as a well thought out program or a joint analysis. Another important demand is the abolition of emergency laws that have been in Egypt more than 30 years was introduced to all protest movements to suppress "
" You can get the mood of the movement feel there is an explosion of energy that reflects the protests in all sorts of creative forms. paint the protesters pictures and slogans on the asphalt, the walls, on cars, faces, clothes. It is played on a variety of ways street theater. Thousands of leaflets will be distributed, appeals, explanations - sometimes without signatures -. Issued only to individuals?
As assembled, the protest movement
"All kinds of different forces, left, right and Islamists are involved. The Left and semi-left groups are limited to democratic demands, that is, they just give back, what are the demands of the masses. They demand the resignation of President Mubarak, new elections and a new constitution. But there is no reference to any kind of a socialist program.
The Islamists of the Muslim Brotherhood were not involved in the protest. When everything began, they have not intervened. Now, under pressure from its membership. they were forced to go on the road. But they have an almost negligible effect on the slogans, demands and mood of the demonstrators. Once I saw a group of young people, the democratic slogans shouted, whereupon one of the "bearded man" tried to to take the initiative by saying "Allah Akbar" yelled. But he got no response from the rest of the crowd - they ignored him. Then he tried to go deeper into the crowd and shouted stubbornly continue its slogan to the crowd told him to be quiet.
"" Allakh Akbar "is not a slogan, not a demand and no program. But when the prayer time dawns and the Islamists call on the faithful, followed by a large part of the demonstration. The ensuing protests again outweigh the democratic slogans. Nobody is asking the Sharia. Many women take part in the protests. "
"I spoke with a number of KoptInnen (Egyptian Christians), which are very numerous among the protesters are represented. Between the years it was in Alexandria a terrorist bomb attack on a Christian church, which led to a very tense situation in the city and the country. The KoptInnen organized demonstrations demanding security, and called some anti-Islamic slogans. But now the situation has changed. It can be observed very clearly as literally, has combined a couple of days, even hours, the united movement for democratic and social rights of Christians and Muslims again. The unity in the fight causes a stripping of all the superficial differences. I often see people wear necklaces with a cross entwined in a crescent - the symbol of KoptInnen and unity between Muslims. When the church to the public came forward and gave their backing Mubarak, welcomed the even some of the Copts, with the argument that the Christians now less confident of their holy figures and the church would have a symbol of authority. "
" The opposition already has formed a coalition of various parties, from the left, right and Islamist spectrum. The coalition supports the general demands of the masses think, however, that for six months of the transition until the date of the resignation Mubarak a government of "national responsibility" should be formed. During this period they promise elections to organize at all levels and submit a new draft constitution. "
" The left contributes by participating in this coalition helps the power of a wing of the Civil hand over another, which is located temporarily at bay for the Mubarak regime. The slogans and demands of this coalition are common and are not being questioned by the mass movement, even though the actual leaders of the opposition are betarchtet with skepticism. This is particularly the case with the former head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Mohammed ElBaradei, who has just returned to Egypt. But until now no one else offers a alternative program, especially the Left.
The existing political vacuum will be filled increasingly by the right, which means that the left needs to be very active, distributing leaflets to formulate the alternatives and focus on the building of an organization must, although there are practical problems ideas to spread in printed form . because all shops are currently closed "
The CWI calls:
- for mass actions Arbeiterklassse, including a general strike for the purpose of Mubarak and his rotten regime overthrow
- immediately for full democratic rights, including the right to assemble, to strike and to organize independent unions.
- For the formation of democratically elected committees of the mass struggle and the defense against state repression in all companies, neighborhoods, schools and universities that are networked at local, regional and national level.
- Committee for the ordinary soldiers and policemen. Sold linearization with the masses and dismissal of officers
- No to religious division - for the unity of all workers
- No confidence in a government of "national unity", which represents the interests of the ruling class and imperialism.
- For immediate and free elections for a revolutionary democratic assembly. For a government of the working class and peasants.
- For an adequate minimum wage, employment for all, a program for the extension of housing, education and health.
- For an end to the Egyptian blockade of the Gaza Strip - Self-determination for Palestine and the unity of the workers. Mass movements for the overthrow of dictatorships in the region.
- For the Egyptian nationalization of major corporations, banks and large estates. Democratic planning in the interests of the majority and not a small elite.
- For a socialist and socialist Egypt Federation in the region on an equal and voluntary basis.
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