In this post are my photos from the demonstrations in Alexandria on Friday the 30th of September; protests took place in the two main cities, with thousands taking to the streets to express frustration with the actions of the temporary military government, among them the highly controversial set of laws allowed during a 'state of emergency' most believe does not exist, and severe limitations to the electoral system.There was talk of reviving the spirit of January the 25th, and of placing the revolution back in the hands of the Egyptian people. Ahram Online called it 'The Friday of Reclaiming the Revolution.'
Above: crowds gather opposite the military base in Sidi Gaber district, Alexandria, at around two o'clock. Most have come from two earlier demonstrations at the Al-Qaed Ibrahim Mosque, and Maharam Bek, not far from our apartment. As we arrive a group begins to form at the top of the street. Yet another reason why we are exceptionally lucky to have the friends we do in town; Y agrees to accompany me today where it would have been impossible for me to go otherwise. All obvious dangers aside, Egyptians are a little suspicious of anyone wielding a camera at such gatherings because previous photos have been used to track protesters. We are stopped periodically by people asking "Sahafa?" - "Journalist?", just in case.
Below: people from across Alexandria make their way down the street. The majority of chants are to do with emergency law but we catch "Expensive sugar, expensive oil" - a reference to the US and its perceived over-involvement and excessive influence in the run-up to the elections.
At this point, interestingly, Y points out that despite the numbers present today a lot of Egyptians disagree with, or are at least display far less enthusiasm for, the protests that take place on more or less a weekly basis in Cairo and Alexandria (though obviously today was bigger) - the reason being, he believes, that it brings businesses, transport and effectively the economy they support to a standstill for at least a day and usually more at a time when things are perhaps especially delicate. Furthermore he believes along with many others that the people have done what they set out to do for the country; the current conditions are undesirable, but essentially a short-term crease to be inevitably smoothed out over time.
He may well be right - but I wonder if, in a country apparently lacking in a continuous system of checks and balances and with national media apparently under threat, these brief though inconvenient expressions of public anguish are crucial to keeping those in authority - whoever they may be - under constant scrutiny. While I have no doubt that those protesting today are doing so out of a sincere desire for change, even if the amendments they demand were impossible it would make their assertions no less important at a time when the power may easily fall into the hands of the 'undeserving few'.
Back at the top of the street, crowds continue to demonstrate in front of the army base. One of the first things we were told before coming to Egypt - by teachers, travel guides and the Foreign Office itself - was to under no circumstances photograph anything related to the military. However. One of the many curious onlookers is a journalist who works for two major Egyptian news agencies and seems pleased to see a British - or perhaps a British-camera-hefting-Arabic-speaking - face. With his identification card he can photograph whatever he wants, and by extension for and for as long as we stay with him, so can I. Hence:
From what we saw which was admittedly several hours after the marches first began, on the whole the day's events were peaceful and - albeit with a hugely appreciated Egyptian escort, or two - quite safe. Of course Cairo was a different story; with greater numbers come starker variations in opinion, and higher-running tensions to say the very least. But in Alexandria, where protests were in part organised by the Youth for Freedom and Justice Movement and the Revolutionary Youth Coalition, the overwhelming feeling was one of unity, and assertion, without aggression.
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