Before it became too crowded in Tahrir Square on July 8, there was a huge debate amongst the people in the people. They asked, "Who is still at Tahrir? They look like thugs and not the usual revolution youth!"
It was a question that needed to be investigated by E’adet Nazar. So I went and met many people in the square, and we talked and discussed the whole issue.
What I discovered in the square was that, as usual, the demonstration was a spontaneous gathering. There were no leaders, no certain people, and as always there were various segments spanning the spectrum and classes of Egyptians.
It is very difficult and unfair to judge these people only on their appearance, or because they have a different way of expression than we do. There are well-educated people from the middle class – which were called the ‘Revolution Youth’ – with political movements; youth who were politicized even before the revolution. And there are excited young people ready to confront any form of authority.
Of course there are some roaming vendors who wish to sell a cup of tea, bowl of koshari or grilled corn to all these people. But there are also the poor, oppressed and subjugated people, with nothing to lose.
Tahrir Square is their last hope.
It could be assumed that there is no bong between these groups. But E’aedet Nazar discovered that there is a bond.
Those excited youth willing to break any rule are bound to the group of activists who see the sit-in as the key that brings our rights and quick decisions from the military council; with them is the ‘No to Military Trials’ group, of which the poor people were the first victim, who continue to suffer, their right to be tried before their natural – civil – judiciary taken from them.
Some oppressed and subjugated people were turned into criminals by police torture and humiliation. Their revenge is expected – as long as these practices are still used by the police, even after the revolution. Yes, it is less now, but the idea of a comeback is terrifying.
We have to know that the rage of the poor people must be confronted with real social justice. Otherwise, it will explode again; particularly because there are still some cases of torture in police departments, and this is the main source of oppression.
We can disagree with some of the sit-ins and demands. We can disagree with the method of some protests. But protests and sit-ins are our right, and were our force during the revolution. They are a weapon in the hands of each and every protester and oppressed person.
After the revolution, there is no way to compromise between security and freedom, nor between stability and respect for the rights of citizens. That kind of talk is over.
Justice for all people is their security. The decisive change and response to the demands of the people is the way of justice and security.
