An injured anti-government protester gestures as he is treated by medics during clashes in Tahrir Square on Wednesday. (Tara Todras-Whitehill/AP). by Toronto Star at 12:13 PM
Hello dear readers,
The peace sign is universal, a throw back to the 60s and anti-war protesters of US involvement in their war against the Vietnam and its people. Three million people, mostly landless Vietnamese peasants lost their lives because the US tried to install a US friendly client state in South Vietnam.
Isn't it ironic that an Egyptian pro-democracy, pro-change protester is holding his hand up in the symbol of people popularized by American citizens who stood for justice in all corners of the world? Where is the voice of America now?
Why doesn't Obama tell Mubarak to step down immediately? What is wrong with the man who spoke so eloquently of change when he now sees the change before him but still supports a person and a regime that denies people change and democracy? Is the US support of Israel and the US military technologies that Egypt is given for maintaining a repressive dictatorship that helps keep Israel safe some of the reasons why Obama does not intervene by speaking out and telling Mubarak to leave NOW? Won't Obama help stop the violence now?
I am following live updates of tweets and photos on the Toronto Star blog on the horrifying events happening in Tahrir Square. Pro-government, pro-Mubarak supporters, some who have been caught with police ID, are battling pro-democracy supporters in Tahrir Square. Up to 500 people have been injured, with dead bodies in Tahrir Square being reported, too. Molotov cocktails have been thrown from the Egyptian Museum, at it, and some reports say, inside it. Here are some recent posts and tweets to the up-to-the-minute live streaming of news from Tahrir Square:
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Mahmoud Ali Sabra, a former director for Mubarak calls the government supporters on the street today "criminals."
He also has a message for U.S. President Barack Obama and other Western leaders:
"(We need you to) announce very clearly to Mubarak to step down now this is the only message we can accept from the leaders of the free world."
by Toronto Star at 11:44 AM
A fire has been set near the Egyptian Museum, and Molotov cocktails have been fired at the crowd.
The anti-government protesters say the government supporters are undercover police officers sent into Tahrir Square by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. Protesters have taken ID cards of the supporters, which say they are undercover police officers. The government denies this.
Molotov cocktails are being thrown inside the Egyptian Museum. Army trying to put out fires inside and outside museum. #jan25
by DailyNewsEgypt via twitter at 11:09 AM
Army seems to intervene with water cannons to stop fire on museum but does not stop attackers / bomb throwers nor protect civilians! #jan25
by Dima_Khatib via twitter at 11:08 AM
Pro-government and supporters of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak (top) and anti-government demonstrators (bottom) clash at Tahrir Square in Cairo February 2, 2011. (Amr Abdallah Dalsh/Reuters)
by Toronto Star at 11:47 AM
3 comments:
Obama and Harper have to insist that Mubarek step down immediately! Look at all the bloodshed Murbarek is causing by not leaving. Shows what an evil dictator he is! The U.S. can call for and engage in regime change in countries that don't want it but when people actually legitimately want change as in Egypt, they don't do anything!!
I think that Obama did tell Mubarak to step down and avoid bloodshed, also Ban Ki Moon (or however it's spelled) and the English P.M. It looks like he's not paying any attention. Poor Egyptians! Hugs, M.
The West is hypocritical in its support of democracy -- it is only for it when those in power favor American corporations, ideology, neoliberal reforms and hierarchies of haves and have nots.
No, Obama has not said that Mubarak is a dictator who must step down now. He is using rhetoric as usual to dance around with people's lives as they die on the street. This is shameful.
Shame on Canada, too.Our political leaders -- from three parties, the COnservatives, Liberals and NDP -- none call Mubarak a dictator. None come out clearly in support of the people's demands for Mubarak and his repressive regime to end NOW.
They all are more concerned about having to answer to Canada's pro-Israel groups than caring out Egyptian peoples' cries for freedom NOW.
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