African immigrant holds hands with Greek protester during Athens May Day rally.
Restored Faith in Humanity of the Day: New Zealand Legislators Serenade Gay Marriage Amendment
Yesterday, New Zealand became the thirteenth country to legalize gay marriage after the Parliament voted 77 to 44 on an amendment to their 1955 marriage laws. Upon the formal announcement, many people in the crowd as well as a few lawmakers spontaneously burst into singing the traditional Māori love song “Pokarekare Ana.”
(via julesmysteriet)
Not even 1 pm yet, and we can already hear chanting.
In a “better for them, worse for me” move, the Muslim Brotherhood has switched their protests from Tahrir square where the opposition has been protesting, to Cairo University, which is located a mere 10 minute walk from my apartment. By noon, thousands of pro-Morsi/pro-Islamist protesters had already gathered. Around 12:30 I was in the kitchen cooking up my lunch, when I realized that I could hear very faint chanting. This is from a window that points away from the direction of the protests. From the balcony, that faces towards them, they were slightly louder, but we still can’t hear what they are saying. It is very eerie.
Matthew says that people may march through Mesaha square, which is the area my (15th floor) apartment overlooks, but my guess is that most marches will opt for the wider/more visible Dokki Street a block over. Here’s hoping for no marches, because if they pass through Mesaha, they are almost guaranteed to be heading for 6th of October bridge, which ends up right in the middle of Tahrir. If they march to Tahrir, there will be blood.
More updates to come.
It sounds like Orcs. Straight up LOTR type shit. Heeyyy study abroad.
Liberal and secular opposition groups announced plans Nov. 28 to hold rallies in downtown Cairo’s Tahrir Square Nov. 30. Meanwhile, officials with the Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), the Muslim Brotherhood’s political party, rescheduled the time and place of a demonstration previously slated to occur Nov. 30 outside of Cairo University; the new demonstration will occur on Dec.1 in Tahrir Square.
iJet alets
no no no no no no no no no no :( stupid stupid.
Thousands march to Tahrir as pressure piles on Egypt’s Morsi
CAIRO — Egypt’s President Mohamed Morsi faced nationwide protests Tuesday after digging in his heels over a controversial decree granting him sweeping powers, in the most divisive crisis since he took power in June.
Thousands of lawyers left their syndicate chanting, “The people want the downfall of the regime,” — the signature chant of the protests that toppled Hosni Mubarak last year— as they made their way to Cairo’s iconic Tahrir Square.
Several other marches were preparing to set off from around the capital to join thousands of protesters already in the square to denounce Morsi’s decree.
In the Mediterranean city of Alexandria, several hundred gathered in Qaitbay square, with two large marches expected to join them later.
“Down with the rule of the Supreme Guide,” they chanted, in reference to the head of the powerful Muslim Brotherhood, on whose ticket Morsi ran for office.
A rival rally in Cairo by the Muslim Brotherhood in support of the president was called off to “avoid potential unrest” but that has done little to abate the division among supporters and foes of Morsi.
“The Muslim Brotherhood stole the revolution” read one banner in Tahrir. Another said the president was “pushing the people to civil disobedience.”
“The Muslim Brotherhood are liars, read another.
Sporadic clashes between police and protesting youths continued into the afternoon near Cairo’s Tahrir Square.
“We will stay in Tahrir until Morsi cancels his declaration,” protester Ahmed Fahmy, 34 told AFP.
Several universities and public schools cancelled classes in anticipation of larger protests, but so far everything has remained fairly calm here. We’ve had a couple large marches pass through Dokki, but none so far in the square where I live. Tahrir, however is a different story. People are saying these are the largest protests since the revolution, quite a feat considering that most people have work on Tuesday, work they probably want to keep since the rapid decline in Egypt’s market a few days ago. The Muslim Brotherhood were supposed to hold their own counter-protests today, but called them off at the last minute “in order to avoid bloodshed,” but I can tell you this is not going to prevent supporters of the party from gathering.
So far there have been a few clashes, but nothing too serious. Only four deaths have been reported, most recent happening only hours ago in the square (cause: tear gas suffocation). Of those three, two were teenagers, including a fifteen year old Brotherhood supporter who died a few days ago in another city. Honestly, most of what is going on is happening in more rural areas. Some people say that the 2011 revolution was just the beginning, and that now we are going to be seeing an uprising among the lowest of Egypt’s poor, which appears to be what is going on right now.
additional notes:
- Judging by tweets, many in Tahrir are first time protesters
- There are also apparently a fair number of women
- Those interested in reading live tweets from Tahrir can follow the #nov27live tag on twitter
- The Muslim Brotherhood’s English language twitter (@ikhwanweb) is a really fascinating look at how Morsi’s party is responding to the protests (hint, not well)
This guy on CNN keeps pronouncing Morsi as “Morrissey.” Just, no.
Updates on the Egypt situation via Matthew Texts
So as you may or may not be aware, last night President Morsi essentially declared emergency law and now has power “to do whatever is necessary to preserve the revolution, national unity, and national security.” People are understandable upset. Some say this will be a day of rage part two, but this is probably not going to happen, seeing as the Muslim Brotherhood has both the police and the army on their side right now. That being said, stuff is going down. I’ll pass on the security updates that I have been getting via SMS from our program director. This post is subject to update as the day goes on.
12:57: There are protest marches that will go through dokki. These tend to be very peaceful, but the tense environment and frustration has a likelihood to lead to violence. Please Avoid.
1:00: Also as a reminder, your presence around liberal opposition forces will only de-legitimize their cause as it can be manipulated into foreign conspiracies to bring down the Ikhwan (Muslim Brotherhood) and Egypt. Interesting developments in Egypt with Morsi’s declaration!
3:00: As an update, due to the unpredictability with today’s protests and likelihood for violent confrontations between pro and anti Morsi groups, you are all to stay within the Mesaha area for the evening and night. Small fights have broken out in numerous locations across Egypt. If you are outside of Mesaha, avoid the metro passing through Tahrir. Thanks for your cooperation.
3:18: There are protesters in front of the prime minister’s house in Mesaha area by metro market calling for him to leave. They are likely to march at some point to Tahrir, so be aware so you are not caught off guard. This is a day best spent at home, which is what I would advise at this point.
I mean, but its JLO night on Fox Movies, so we have plenty of things to do. Also street harassment has made me not even want to leave the apartment anyways. Fuck the shabab.
“Anybody else psyched to talk about the Middle East at Thanksgiving?” — Julie Klausner
What is interesting, is that the Frida Kahlo venerated by American feminists is a very different Frida Kahlo to the one people learn about in Mexico, in the Chicano community. In her country, she is recognized as an important artist and a key figure in revolutionary politics of early 20th century Mexico. Her communist affiliations are made very clear. Her relationship with Trotsky is underscored. All her political activities with Diego Rivera are constantly emphasized. The connection between her art and her politics is always made. When Chicana artists became interested in Frida Kahlo in the ‘70s and started organizing homages, they made the connection between her artistic project and theirs because they too were searching for an aesthetic compliment to a political view that was radical and emancipatory. But when the Euro-American feminists latch onto Frida Kahlo in the early ‘80s and when the American mainstream caught on to her, she was transformed into a figure of suffering. I am very critical of that form of appropriation.
Coco Fusco on her Amerindians piece from 1992 with Guillermo Gómez-Peña (via mayalikeskafka)
Coco Fusco and Guillermo Gómez-Peña by Anna Johnson, BOMB 42/Winter 1993, ART Interview/performance
(via prince-froglip)
(via shannonwest)
