Kindly circulate:
In the past weeks, labor and community action centered in the industrial city of Mahalla, Egypt have spread demands for better living and working conditions, and calls for an end to the Mubarak dictatorship to many other sites across the country. In the state repression that has followed, at least two people have been killed, and over 800 have been detained. A crackdown on local and foreign journalists has also ensued.
There will be a solidarity action at the Egyptian Consulate in San Francisco this Friday, April 18th, at 10am, 3001 Pacific Avenue (at Baker St.).
Please also take a moment to call, fax and/or email the consul to register your concerns. A sample letter and contact information is included below. This letter will be taken to the consulate on Friday. If you wish to be a co-signer, please forward your name and organizational affiliation to chenjching@gmail.com
Thank you!
———- SAMPLE LETTER —————————
Consulate General of Egypt in San Francsico
Tel. (415) 346-9700/ 346-9702 / 346-7352
Fax (415) 346-9480
egypt@egy2000.com
To: Abderahman Salaheldin
Consul-General of Egypt in San Francisco
As a resident of the San Francisco Bay Area, I am writing to express my grave concern for the recent events centered on Mahalla, Egypt.
In response to their desperate situations, workers and community members have protested to demand their basic rights to livelihood and as workers.
I am writing to protest the severe repression of these demonstrations, including the occupation of Mahalla, mass arrests and detention of workers and community members, and the shooting and killing of at least four workers. The reports of ill treatment of detainees is very disturbing and a clear violation of basic human rights. Also of great concern is the arrest and detention of foreign and Egyptian journalists.
In order to prevent any further loss of life and to begin to address the legitimate demands of the Mahalla workers and those who have responded to their actions across Egypt, the Mubarak government must stop this repression immediately.
Along with thousands across the world, I call for the immediate release and amnesty for all detainees, investigations and justice for those injured and killed during the demonstrations.
Sincerely,