Urgent: Egyptian socialists and trade unionists call for international solidarity
Occupy Austin
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An international appeal for solidarity has gone out today as tens of
thousands of Egyptians face brutal repression in the streets of Cairo.
Riot police and army forces attacked protestors after mass
demonstrations calling for an end to the Supreme Council of the Armed
Forces' military rule.
The Egyptian Federation of Independent Trade Unions issued a call on
Saturday 19 November to its 1.4 million members in affiliated unions
to join the protests in Tahrir Square. The protestors are fighting for
the future of the revolution.
Solidarity protests have already been called in Britain, Ireland,
Canada, Sweden and Germany.
Sameh Naguib, a revolutionary socialist in Egypt, spoke to Socialist
Worker from the square late on Sunday.
He said, "The world is on fire here tonight. The police have been
killing people and parts of Tahrir are in flames. There were around
100,000 people in the square this afternoon, and tens of thousands
protesting in Alexandria, Suez, Aswan, Damietta and other cities
across Egypt.
“Three people were killed today in Tahrir, and certainly there are
more across Egypt now. There are 1,000 injured. We are drowning in
tear gas. It burns the skin and the police have been shooting
canisters at people's faces.
“They are firing rubber bullets straight into people's faces and many
have lost their sight. And they are attacking us with water cannon. A
few hours ago it looked as if there would be a bloodbath, but then the
police suddenly withdrew from the square.
“The ferocity of the state has really transformed the situation. The
degree of violence has enraged people. We are confident this will
translate into workers' strikes.
“Thousands and thousands of young people have streamed into Tahrir in
response to police attacks chanting ‘We want to get rid of Marshal
Tantawi and to put him on trial’.” Field Marshal Mohammed Hussain
Tantawi is head of the Supreme Council.
Sameh says that urgent international solidarity is vital for the
future of the revolution.
Demonstrations are now being organised outside Egyptian embassies
across the world. In London Egyptian activists have called a protest
every night this week, 5-7pm, Egyptian Embassy, 26 South Street, W1K
1DW
On Tuesday there will be a special mobilisation for students and trade
unionists—bring banners.
For details of other solidarity actions http://menasolidaritynetwork.com
www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=132162413560088¬if_t=event_invite