In an article in the Austin American Statesman titled Tweets, cheers, fireworks: The world praises Egypt, by Raphael G. Satter, U.S. and European officials saluted the demonstrators in Cairo for their efforts in achieving freedom from President Hosni Mubarak. Starting as a peaceful protest, things quickly escalated. Rapidly moving events eventually cause the military to try and defuse popular outrage by promising reforms, but thousands still marched on presidential palaces and the state TV building, key symbols of the authoritarian regime. As things escalate farther, two protestors are killed, and crowds set a police station on fire. The army evacuates the local governor and Mubarak flies to his isolated place in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. The Vice president announces that Mubarak will resign and turn over power to the military and fireworks burst over Tahrir Square and Egypt explodes with joy and tears of relief.
I thought this would be an interesting read for those who don’t necessarily keep up with current events. This shows the power of peoples’ wills and their collective power. As Eugene Rogan, the director of the Middle East Center at St. Antony's College in Oxford said, “This is the popular demonstration that proves any leader can be toppled,"
No comments:
Post a Comment