-by Megan L., 8th Grade
An eruption of protests in Egypt has broken out recently in efforts to expunge President Hosni Mubarak from office.
Egyptians were not happy with the unfair leadership of President Mubarak and they banded together to voice their opinions. They were unhappy with the amount of authority that was given to the police force, and many citizens were beaten by police on a daily basis.
Additionally, the unemployment rates and low wages led to a wide gap between the rich and poor. The unemployed citizens living on less than $2 a day are unable to succumb to the ever-increasing food prices. Simply put, Egyptians feel that President Mubarak has lost his ability to produce change in his 30 year reign.
The riots were different from previous revolts in significant ways. Unlike before, the rioters joined together and marched; in some cases police could not stop them.
But what really set this revolution apart from other revolts was the method of communication between the rioters- consisting of students, unemployed youth, industrial workers, and other courageous men and women. They connected by social networks such as Twitter and Facebook, and police could not keep up with their unexpected, fast-paced riots across several Egyptian cities. Despite the police’s violent attempts to suppress the revolts, the rioters remained peaceful as they chanted “Kifaya kifaya!” (“Enough, enough!”) This message became the name of the movement, whose new message is “Too much, too far, for too long!”
Their nonviolent approach served them well, and on February 11, Hosni Mubarak resigned and handed over his power to Egypt’s military leaders.
This successful rebellion, inspired by the 2011 Tunisia revolution, has sparked similar flames in Libya. Unlike in Egypt, after tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Benghazi, President Muammar Khadafy ordered police to suppress the revolts. They mercilessly opened fire, threw rocket propelled grenades, and used tear gas on the rioters. Over 200 injured people have arrived at local hospitals, adorned with bullets and wounds from grenades.
Sunday, February 27, President Obama said that Khadafy has “lost his legitimacy and must step down immediately,” after what he had seen in Tripoli in recent days. Journalists reported that snipers were shooting at innocent, unarmed citizens. Witnesses say that Libyan security was removing dead and wounded bodies from streets and hospitals in an attempt to hide the shocking reality.
Currently, orders have been made to revoke travel visas for Khadafy and his five children, as well as several Libyan officials and their immediate family. What President Obama plans to do next is unknown, but hopefully the chaos will subside in Libya soon.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Dave, Paresh. “Why Are People In Egypt Protesting? – INFOGRAPHIC | Neon Tommy.” Neon Tommy | the Voice of Annenberg Digital News. 28 Jan. 2011. Web. 27 Feb. 2011. .
Tisdall, Simon. “Egypt Protests Are Breaking New Ground | Simon Tisdall | Comment Is Free | Guardian.co.uk.” Latest News, Comment and Reviews from the Guardian | Guardian.co.uk. 25 Jan. 2011. Web. 27 Feb. 2011. .
Reuters. “Libya Protests: Dozens Killed As Anti-Gaddafi Protests Continue.” Breaking News and Opinion on The Huffington Post. 20 Feb. 2011. Web. 27 Feb. 2011. .
Kirkpatrick, David D. “Libyan Capital Still Rocked by Violence.” Boston Sunday Globe 27 Feb. 2011, The World sec.: A 13. Print.
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