It has been just over 48 hours since the Million Man March in Tahrir Square on Tuesday. Thousands of people gathered in major cities across Egypt trying to get the leader of the military Tantawi to step down and let the county be run by civilian rule. General Tantawi addressed the masses in Tahrir on Tuesday evening and eluded to the fact that he would not be stepping down anytime soon. This led to throngs of people staying until the early hours of the morning shouting, "Go, Tantawi, Go!" People who were around in January and February have said that it is very reminiscent of when they ousted Mubarak, but Tantawi is not budging at the moment.
Yesterday was fairly peaceful in Tahrir. It appears that there is a "truce" between the people and the Military. A truce that will end tomorrow when the people are plan to schedule a second Million Man March in a continued effort to have Tantawi step down. There is a lot of speculation that he will announce his resignation, but that is all speculation.
Our day to day life remains generally unaffected by the protests and riots in Tahrir Square. With the elections just days away now and tensions intensifying, the school has granted the staff a 4 day weekend. The Islamic New Year is on Saturday, so the government has declared Sunday a holiday, then, the elections start on Monday. It makes for an unexpected long weekend, and a very short week of teaching next week.
As the protests grow, more and more people are making their way to the epicenter of the protests. As this happens, we have started to hear stories first hand of what it is like to be in the Square. Students have gone to join the protest, and parents of students have ventured out to join the rally. Some students proudly declared that people they know were in the makeshift medical clinic in Tahrir due to side effects from the Tear Gas. The protests bring out a unique side of people and for those that have gone to Tahrir, they are very proud of it.
It will be interesting to see how things develop over the next few days. Both the People and the Military are so involved in this event now, that it would be hard for either side to concede. If the People were to give up, it would demonstrate that they do not have the will power to stand up for what they believe in and what they are fighting for. If the military concedes, it demonstrates to the People that if they are unhappy with something or someone, if they show up with huge amounts of people in Tahrir Square, they will very likely get their way. This would set a very dangerous precedent for the new government that is about to be elected by the People.
The question then becomes, "if Tantawi resigns and removes Military Rule, who will take over?" We have heard many speculations, but they are just that, speculations. Only time will tell what is going to occur and whether the Egyptian people will get their way. In the meantime, Tear Gas floods the streets, particularly in Alexandria and rubber bullets fly. People are injured but are proud of it because they are standing up for what they believe to be right.
We are still doing great. After school today, we went to the mall, went for dinner and grocery shopping. There still has not been a moment that we have felt unsafe. Since the protests have remained very isolated we are continuing with our plans to FINALLY visit the Pyramids on Saturday and likely venture into Maadi for church. Continue to think of us, and I will update the blog again when there is more current information.
Yesterday was fairly peaceful in Tahrir. It appears that there is a "truce" between the people and the Military. A truce that will end tomorrow when the people are plan to schedule a second Million Man March in a continued effort to have Tantawi step down. There is a lot of speculation that he will announce his resignation, but that is all speculation.
Our day to day life remains generally unaffected by the protests and riots in Tahrir Square. With the elections just days away now and tensions intensifying, the school has granted the staff a 4 day weekend. The Islamic New Year is on Saturday, so the government has declared Sunday a holiday, then, the elections start on Monday. It makes for an unexpected long weekend, and a very short week of teaching next week.
As the protests grow, more and more people are making their way to the epicenter of the protests. As this happens, we have started to hear stories first hand of what it is like to be in the Square. Students have gone to join the protest, and parents of students have ventured out to join the rally. Some students proudly declared that people they know were in the makeshift medical clinic in Tahrir due to side effects from the Tear Gas. The protests bring out a unique side of people and for those that have gone to Tahrir, they are very proud of it.
It will be interesting to see how things develop over the next few days. Both the People and the Military are so involved in this event now, that it would be hard for either side to concede. If the People were to give up, it would demonstrate that they do not have the will power to stand up for what they believe in and what they are fighting for. If the military concedes, it demonstrates to the People that if they are unhappy with something or someone, if they show up with huge amounts of people in Tahrir Square, they will very likely get their way. This would set a very dangerous precedent for the new government that is about to be elected by the People.
The question then becomes, "if Tantawi resigns and removes Military Rule, who will take over?" We have heard many speculations, but they are just that, speculations. Only time will tell what is going to occur and whether the Egyptian people will get their way. In the meantime, Tear Gas floods the streets, particularly in Alexandria and rubber bullets fly. People are injured but are proud of it because they are standing up for what they believe to be right.
We are still doing great. After school today, we went to the mall, went for dinner and grocery shopping. There still has not been a moment that we have felt unsafe. Since the protests have remained very isolated we are continuing with our plans to FINALLY visit the Pyramids on Saturday and likely venture into Maadi for church. Continue to think of us, and I will update the blog again when there is more current information.
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