1300 Activists Converge on Cairo: We're Blocked But We Won't Be Stopped
After two Gaza Freedom March actions and meetings today were shut down by Egyptian Police, over 1000 activists met outdoors tonight at Tahrir Square (our indoor meeting permit had been cancelled earlier). We are told that no buses will be allowed to leave Cairo with GFM participants headed for Gaza. However, at 7am tomorrow morning we will be at the garage where we were originally to depart from, ready to board buses to El Arish. Despite the setbacks, spirits are high and activists are willing to do what it takes to press for an end to the siege.
Vive la France!
The French Government has reportedly negotiated an agreement which will allow some 250 French marchers to travel to the border and cross into Gaza. Canadian participants are asking, "What about our government? Where is the official support for our humanitarian mission?"
As different groups try diverse ways to get to Gaza and put pressure on authorities to ease restrictions, one thing is certain- things will continue to evolve quickly in the crowded, polluted chaos that is Cairo.
----- Original Message -----
From: <porzsoltv@optusnet.com.au>
Sent: (from Cairo) on Monday, December 28, 2009 6:21 PM
Hi everyone, GMS Bulletin # 3. It is proving harder than I thought to fit
in writing these bulletins in a timely fashion.
Yesterday was a great day. We went down to a major bridge across the Nile
and tied cards of rememberance and flowers to the bridge railings. These
were removed almost immediately by the police who follow us everywhere. It
is evident that there are spies at our meetings. The police challenged us to
move on, but in a very restrained manner. It is obvious that at this stage
they are treating internationals with kid gloves, unlike their own
nationals.
It is theoretically forbidden to gather in groups of more than 6. However
we have found that in greater numbers we can prevail. We had planned
yesterday to hire small boats on the nile and float 1400 candles in memory
of the people killed in Gaza last year. A good photo op for the media. An
easy gentle media event that should not push the police prohibitions. But
the police would not allow it. So there we were, all gathered 1400 of us,
and we began a strong loud street demo. It was wonderful - songs in a
variety of languages. Banners (forbidden) were unfurled. Silly buggars, if
they had let us use the boats , there would have been just a few boats and
candles floating down the Nile. But they still treated us with kid gloves.
The authorities have prevented us hiring buses to go to AL Arish as planned
fo r today. Various groups have gone on ahead but have been arrested at Al
Arish.
As well as the Gaza freedom march, there are a number of other groups
operating independently but co-ordinating together.: The French have been
successful in getting the co-operation of their Embassy to help get them
buses., there are the Spanish and a whole lot of other groups. It is all
wonderfully fluid and anarchic. I cannot praise the women of Code Pink
highly enough. They are all very experienced operators, operating in the
best feminist model, facilitative, clear, not top down like the traditional
left, male models. Very competent and nurturing, no bloody ego - yay!
Well it looks as if I will be able to get this sent to you as I write.
Cheers
Vivienne
=================
received for forwarding at 18:40 hrs Monday.
MW add: The Gaza March (convoy) group organised by/with Brit MP George
Galloway is at writing blocked in Akaba (Jordan). They are being prevented
from entering Egypt by ferry, and arguing the toss at present. The Egyptian
proposal to go thru the Suez Canal ? to Northern Egypt is a not very
disguised refusal... Egypt working for Israeli and US governments ?