NEW YORK -- The protests that have engulfed much of Egypt arrived in New York today when more than 2,000 people gathered near the United Nations building to support those demonstrating on the streets of Cairo to bring down President Hosni Mubarak.
"Its time for him to go," said Hoda Elmasry, 24, a student at Columbia University, whose parents came to the United States in the 1980s to escape what she described as "corruption and lack of opportunities" in Egypt.
Protesters also called for the U.S. to stop backing Mubarak, who has been in power for 30 years.
Placards reading "Free Egypt Now" and "Obama Democracy = Democracy, Don't Play Favorites," spelled out the mood and message. "I would like to see Obama support democracy rather than stability," added Elmasry.
"We are here so that the American government feels our pressure," said Ali Mansour, a 34-year-old doctor from New Jersey.
![]()
Mansour, who came with his young children to the protest, urged Obama to cut off financial aid to Egypt and impose an economic blockade if the will of the people is ignored.
One protester held up a poster saying "Mubarak, let me e-mail my mommy," in reference to the cell phone and Internet blackout in the country. While the Internet is still down, people in the U.S. were able to speak with their family members today on cell phones and landlines.
Many told stories about their relatives, saying that "thugs," some affiliated with the government, were coming into several areas to terrorize and loot.
"My sister said that there are three military tanks in their locality to provide security," said Mansour.
Protesters said the revolution in Tunisia has ignited the spark that would spread across the Middle East and bring down other regimes in Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Yemen.
Varied reactions have come from countries in the Middle East.
King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud of Saudi Arabia phoned Mubarak today and said, "The Government of Saudi Arabia and people condemns strongly this and stands with all its potentials by the Government and brotherly people of Egypt."
On the other hand, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin ...
"Its time for him to go," said Hoda Elmasry, 24, a student at Columbia University, whose parents came to the United States in the 1980s to escape what she described as "corruption and lack of opportunities" in Egypt.
Protesters also called for the U.S. to stop backing Mubarak, who has been in power for 30 years.
Placards reading "Free Egypt Now" and "Obama Democracy = Democracy, Don't Play Favorites," spelled out the mood and message. "I would like to see Obama support democracy rather than stability," added Elmasry.
"We are here so that the American government feels our pressure," said Ali Mansour, a 34-year-old doctor from New Jersey.
Spencer Platt, Getty Images
People protest against the regime of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak outside of the United Nations on Saturday in New York City.
Mansour, who came with his young children to the protest, urged Obama to cut off financial aid to Egypt and impose an economic blockade if the will of the people is ignored.
One protester held up a poster saying "Mubarak, let me e-mail my mommy," in reference to the cell phone and Internet blackout in the country. While the Internet is still down, people in the U.S. were able to speak with their family members today on cell phones and landlines.
Many told stories about their relatives, saying that "thugs," some affiliated with the government, were coming into several areas to terrorize and loot.
"My sister said that there are three military tanks in their locality to provide security," said Mansour.
Protesters said the revolution in Tunisia has ignited the spark that would spread across the Middle East and bring down other regimes in Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Yemen.
Varied reactions have come from countries in the Middle East.
Related Stories
- Egypt's President Mubarak Names Deputy for First Time
- Omar Suleiman: 5 Facts on the New Vice President in Egypt
- Tourists Scramble to Leave Egypt, but Many Can't
- Israelis Nervous About Upheaval in Egypt
- Egypt's Uprising Unites Society in Rage
- Egypt Protesters Welcome Army as It Projects Power
- Looters Rip Heads Off 2 Mummies at Egyptian Museum
On the other hand, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin ...
Page 1 of 2 Next >>
No comments:
Post a Comment