Nottingham Solidarity with Egyptian Revolution
Published:
February 15, 2011 22:20
by Nottingham Indymedia |
Neighbourhoods: cairo egypt market_square nottingham
Published by group:
Notts Indymedia
Protests in Egypt have ended nearly 30 years rule by President Hosni Mubarak. The movement has inspired people across the world, with solidarity protests held in many cities, including Nottingham.
On the newswire: Demo to celebrate resignation of Mubarak | Nottingham Anti-Mubarak Demo | Support Demo for People of Egypt | Nottingham Supports Egyptian Revolution!
According to the Post, on Tuesday 1st February, a silent protest was held at the University of Nottingham on Tuesday, attended by around 200 people who had relatives in Egypt.
On Friday 4th February, Nottingham Stop the War Coalition organised an “emergency protest” in support of anti-Mubarak demonstrators in Egypt in front of the Council House. This was attended by almost 100 people and protesters
On Sunday 6th February, the Notts UK Uncut group organised a demonstration against Vodafone as part of it’s ongoing campaign against tax dodging companies. More recently, Vodafone had closed down its network in Egypt at the behest of the authorities and allegedly sent out pro-regime text messages. Campaigners linked the demands that Vodafone pay its tax and that it stop supporting the Mubarak regime. This demonstration was covered by local BBC news (available to view on YouTube).
On Friday 11th, Nottingham Stop the War called another demonstration. This was initially called in response to Mubarak’s speech the previous evening when he had seemingly refused to stand down, but by the time protesters converged at 5pm Mubarak had left for Sharm El Sheikh and resigned as president. The protest became instead a celebration, although speakers were keen to point out that the revolution would not be successful until the apparatus of terror which had maintained Mubarak in power was removed. Simply changing the faces at the top wasn’t enough.
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Support Egyptian Workers
The mainstream media seem to have spun a workers uprising, growing over several years, into a polite and classless series of "people's" demonstrations to request "democracy".
Since at least 2008 workers have been casting off the shackles of state controlled 'unions' and organising themselves independently - first the Tax Collectors, then Health Workers, Transport, Textiles, Steel.... the list goes on and on. Don't forget its a very industrialised place these days. Not least because some of our dirtier industries have moved there in recent years to escape European Emissions Trading (another scam!)
In 2009 there were 300 documented strikes. Only one of these sought legal approval and recognition through the state controlled unions.
Now Egyptian workers have established an Independent Trade Union Federation. We must show solidarity in any way we can.
Discuss this at your Union Branch and with colleagues, friends and anyone - people don't get politicised by the mainstream media.
I have just read about a meeting in London on 17th -
Meeting to establish an Egyptian Workers Solidarity Campaign, 17 February 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Location: Unite headquarters, 128 Theobald's Road, London WC2 (Holborn tube)
I don't know who's organised this by the way - but I will try to go myself.
Loose Your Chains!