Yesterday I received a letter from friends who are human rights activists, many are being detained by the army.
This is a message I received today from cairo from a friend-student I'm in Cairo, changed flights 3 times and can't get myself to leave. The coming days will be hard, this regime is thirsty for bloodshed and many of us are not disillusioned that tomorrow, planned to be a big day, they will not hesitate to use force. But we are ready. We truly are ready and I never thought the day will come when I'd say this. The federation of independent unions is a burgeoning entity of many independent unions that erupted the past few years, but at the back of it, the property tax collector's unions, the first and largest by far. Supporting it will be great, especially that now in many places workers are using the opportunity to create their own independent union and join the independent federation. There are multiple fights taking place at the same time. Workers have not occupied plants yet or self-ruled or demanded that the regime leaves, they've been out asking for better conditions and pay raise, but I suppose this in itself at this stage is not too bad, it destabilises the regime to some extent, and initiatives like the independent federation of unions is one step towards the overall transformation. I guess one thing we learned is that a revolution takes time. ============= the centre for Social and Economic rights are all out. They are now compiling a list of people that are missing or have been detained though (and they are not little). We are getting there. We are. Please let me know if yo need further info. I might be camping in Tahrir tonight with no internet, but you can call on ============== ________________________________ From: Jim Devine <[email protected]> To: Pen-l <[email protected]> Sent: Thu, February 10, 2011 6:19:23 PM Subject: [Pen-l] NYT News Alert: Egypt's Army Signals Steps to Take Power Breaking News Alert The New York Times Thu, February 10, 2011 -- 10:57 AM ET ----- Egypt's Army Signals Steps to Take Power Egypt's armed forces said on Thursday that they were taking "necessary measures to protect the nation and support the legitimate demands of the people," a signal that the military intends to take a commanding role in governing the country. There was no immediate confirmation that the army intended to replace the government named by President Hosni Mubarak, but protesters in Cairo roared approval at the news that the military was moving to supplant the government they have steadfastly opposed. Jubilant chants of "The Army and the people in one hand!" could be heard on broadcasts from Tahrir Square. There was no information about what role Mr. Mubarak or his new vice president, Omar Suleiman, would play in a military government. The announcement came on the 17th day of unrest in Egypt, bolstered by strikes and protests among professional groups in Cairo and workers across the country. Read More: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/11/world/middleeast/11egypt.html?hp&emc=na Copyright 2011 The New York Times Company -- Jim Devine / "Living a life of quiet desperation -- but always with style!" _______________________________________________ pen-l mailing list [email protected] https://lists.csuchico.edu/mailman/listinfo/pen-l
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