Tag: nasser nouri

1st anniversary of Cairo Spring

Posted on By 3arabawy

Around that time a year ago, Kefaya activists occupied Abdel Khaleq Tharwat Street, in solidarity with the Egyptian judges fighting for their independence from Mubarak’s executive authorities. The occupation was smashed by the Central Security Forces troops, which descended on downtown. For weeks to follow, thousands of Muslim Brothers and leftist activists were to stage demonstrations, only to be met with the regime’s iron-fist repression.

Photographer and friend Nasser Nouri, together with an army of professional photographers, were unknown soldiers in this battle, by braving with their cameras in the streets, snapping shots of police brutality, street clashes, exposing the Gestapo-style state–supported by the Western governments–Egyptians are living under today. On several occasions, photographers like Nasser were subject to the police wrath, beatings, kidnappings, and had their cameras smashed.

The photo below, taken by Nasser Nouri, provides a glimpse of what Cairo’s Spring was like:

The Judges' Club under Security Siege

[Cairo’s Judges’ Club under security siege, April 2006. Photo by Nasser Nouri.]

Thanks Nasser and  all the brave photographers who still insist on showing up to cover activist events, despite police intimidation.

Eid Mubarak!

Posted on By 3arabawy

When I saw the photo below of worshipers marking the beginning of Eid ul Adha under rifles, I thought it was from occupied Palestine.

Egyptian security forces were heavily present during Eid prayers all over the major cities, for fear of demonstrations. Photo by Nasser Nouri ​, 30 December 2006.​

But no, it is Mubarak’s Egypt. Central Security Forces were literally everywhere in the major cities early morning today, for fear of anti-government demonstrations following the prayers.

  • Egyptian security forces were heavily present during Eid prayers all over the major cities, for fear of demonstrations. Photo by Nasser Nouri ​, 30 December 2006.​
  • Egyptian security forces were heavily present during Eid prayers all over the major cities, for fear of demonstrations. Photo by Nasser Nouri ​, 30 December 2006.​
  • Egyptian security forces were heavily present during Eid prayers all over the major cities, for fear of demonstrations. Photo by Nasser Nouri ​, 30 December 2006.​
  • Egyptian security forces were heavily present during Eid prayers all over the major cities, for fear of demonstrations. Photo by Nasser Nouri ​, 30 December 2006.​
  • Egyptian security forces were heavily present during Eid prayers all over the major cities, for fear of demonstrations. Photo by Nasser Nouri ​, 30 December 2006.​
  • Egyptian security forces were heavily present during Eid prayers all over the major cities, for fear of demonstrations. Photo by Nasser Nouri ​, 30 December 2006.​
  • Egyptian security forces were heavily present during Eid prayers all over the major cities, for fear of demonstrations. Photo by Nasser Nouri ​, 30 December 2006.​
  • Egyptian security forces were heavily present during Eid prayers all over the major cities, for fear of demonstrations. Photo by Nasser Nouri ​, 30 December 2006.​
  • Egyptian security forces were heavily present during Eid prayers all over the major cities, for fear of demonstrations. Photo by Nasser Nouri ​, 30 December 2006.​
  • Egyptian security forces were heavily present during Eid prayers all over the major cities, for fear of demonstrations. Photo by Nasser Nouri ​, 30 December 2006.​
  • Egyptian security forces were heavily present during Eid prayers all over the major cities, for fear of demonstrations. Photo by Nasser Nouri ​, 30 December 2006.​
  • Egyptian security forces were heavily present during Eid prayers all over the major cities, for fear of demonstrations. Photo by Nasser Nouri ​, 30 December 2006.​
  • Egyptian security forces were heavily present during Eid prayers all over the major cities, for fear of demonstrations. Photo by Nasser Nouri ​, 30 December 2006.​

UPDATE: Four MB activists were detained by police in Giza following the prayers for distributing “Eid Mubarak” leaflets, and another 20 detained in Fayoum including children.

Kefaya demonstrates against Mubarak

Posted on By 3arabawy

Kefaya’s demo that was scheduled to happen in front of the Public Prosecutor’s office on Monday, was moved due to security siege to the Lawyers’ Syndicate and the Press Syndicate.

Around 100 assembled in front of the Lawyers’ Syndicate, while 300 others managed to gather in front of the Press Syndicate.

Demonstrators chanted against Mubarak, corruption, and police torture. Activists also extended their solidarity to the Lebanese opposition fighting a US-client government in Beirut. “Hosni Mubarak and Sanioura–Bush is the original, they are the photocopies,” went the chants. The Mahalla textile strikers got also a lion-share of chants in support of their struggle against their corrupt neo-liberal management.

Protesters clashed on several occasions with the Central Security Forces troops that surrounded the Press Syndicate, leading to minor injuries. Photos below, taken by Nasser Nouri:

  • Kefaya held an anti-Mubarak rally in front of the Press Syndicate and the Lawyers' Syndicate on 12 Dec 2006, Photo by Nasser Nouri
  • Kefaya held an anti-Mubarak rally in front of the Press Syndicate and the Lawyers' Syndicate on 12 Dec 2006, Photo by Nasser Nouri
  • Kefaya held an anti-Mubarak rally in front of the Press Syndicate and the Lawyers' Syndicate on 12 Dec 2006, Photo by Nasser Nouri
  • Kefaya held an anti-Mubarak rally in front of the Press Syndicate and the Lawyers' Syndicate on 12 Dec 2006, Photo by Nasser Nouri
  • Kefaya held an anti-Mubarak rally in front of the Press Syndicate and the Lawyers' Syndicate on 12 Dec 2006, Photo by Nasser Nouri
  • Kefaya held an anti-Mubarak rally in front of the Press Syndicate and the Lawyers' Syndicate on 12 Dec 2006, Photo by Nasser Nouri
  • Kefaya held an anti-Mubarak rally in front of the Press Syndicate and the Lawyers' Syndicate on 12 Dec 2006, Photo by Nasser Nouri
  • Kefaya held an anti-Mubarak rally in front of the Press Syndicate and the Lawyers' Syndicate on 12 Dec 2006, Photo by Nasser Nouri

The Revolutionary Socialists distributed leaflets during the demo, calling for wider mobilization within the factories, university campuses, professional syndicates to achieve the radical political change Egypt needs–rather than focusing the struggle on narrow, superficial constitutional amendments within the parliament.

The Revolutionary Socialists, Photo by Alexandra Sandels, Cairo, Press Syndicate, 12 Dec 06

I left the scene of the protests by 4:05pm. By then, 400 demonstrators at the Press Syndicate were chanting, demanding the execution of President Hosni Mubarak on charges of treason and mass torture.