“There’s something in the soul that cries out for freedom. Those were the cries that came from Tahrir Square, and the entire world has taken it up.” President Obama quoting Martin Luther King Jr.
I just completed my Friday visits at the Bergen County Jail and heard the chants from Tafrir Square, “Egypt is Free!”
The road to true freedom may yet be long, but for today we celebrate with the protestors in Egypt.
Most encouraging to me is their absolute commitment to nonviolence. Thursday evening’s speech by Mubarek exponentially raised the level of rage and frustration, demonstrators were seen leaving the square for the state TV station. CNN’s Wolf Blitzer seemed to entertain the hope of a violent outbreak that would keep people glued to the network’s reporting. Rather than break windows, burn the building or worse, the frustrated protestors arrived at the TV building and linked arms circling the building. No damage, no violence no CNN ratings boost.
The revolutionaries have been consistent. From January 25th the protest has been strictly enforcing the commitment of nonviolence. They set up check points at all entrances to the square to search all those entering to relieve them of any weapons. The only breeches of their security measures were by the bussed in thugs on February 2nd -3rd who attacked the protestors. Reporters able to communicate offered evidence that those violent thugs were state sponsored. Other violence by the secret police who threatened, seized and detained journalists took place primarily outside the square.
The commitment to nonviolence went beyond eliminating weapons. Note that we never heard chants of “Death to Mubarek!” In fact, most of the protest leaders never demanded that he even leave Egypt, they just wanted him to step down. They gave flowers to the soldiers and chanted, “The Army and the people are one!”
The protestors were inclusive. Perhaps my favorite picture from the last 18 days was the NY Times picture of Coptic Christians linking arms to protect Muslims praying in Tafrir Square. News outlets similarly reported that those same Coptic Christians were able to celebrate Mass in the square. How different from the scenes of the New Year’s day bombing of the Egyptian Coptic Church that left 21 dead!
I’ve read that for this type of revolution to succeed three things are necessary: a unifying agenda, and Mubarek’s departure provided that. Second is a just cause, thirty years of Mubarek’s oppression and the current economic hard times. The 300 “martyrs” of this revolution demonstrated the protestor’s willingness to die for the cause. Again, even the shedding of their innocent blood did not lead the disciplined protestors to violence.
Ultimately, the army may not be willing to give up their lofty status for civilian control. The unity of the protestors may be tested, now that Mubarek no longer unites them. The work of forming a government will be hard and divisive. Can the religious tolerance exhibited in Tahrir Square be codified in a new constitution? All this remains to be seen.
But today my heart is filled with hope, not just for the Egyptians but for all of us who witness this peaceful revolution that shows we can accomplish change by another way, other than violent destruction.
Mubarek’s regime was doomed when protestors could say with Wael Ghonim, the young Google executive: “We are no longer afraid.” When will we learn to say the same, that the fear that has been nurtured in our society since 9-11 can also be put aside. We’ve witnessed a powerful, peaceful and inclusive revolution that should open our eyes to the possibilities for our future.
Perhaps we could use alternatives to the incarceration and dehumanizing treatment of the immigrant detainees I visit on Friday mornings. On behalf of those detainees I can’t help but ask; “Are you listening, Mr. President, to your own words?”
“There’s something in the soul that cries out for freedom. Those were the cries that came from Tahrir Square, and the entire world has taken it up.” President Obama quoting Martin Luther King Jr.
Salaam