In President Obama’s remarks “on a new beginning” at Cairo University on June 4, 2009, he said:
That does not lessen my commitment, however, to governments that reflect the will of the people. Each nation gives life to this principle in its own way, grounded in the traditions of its own people. America does not presume to know what is best for everyone, just as we would not presume to pick the outcome of a peaceful election. But I do have an unyielding belief that all people yearn for certain things: the ability to speak your mind and have a say in how you are governed; confidence in the rule of law and the equal administration of justice; government that is transparent and doesn’t steal from the people; the freedom to live as you choose. These are not just American ideas; they are human rights. And that is why we will support them everywhere. (Applause.)”
This sounds amazingly similar to what Egyptians, and their supporters, are saying today. Take for example Waseem Wagdi, above, an Egyptian protesting at the Egyptian embassy in London.
(Inaudible chanting in background)
Wagdi: Today we are here I think for two reasons.
We’re here to show solidarity with the Heroes of the streets of Egypt. We’re here to show solidarity with the Prisoners of Egypt. We’re here to show solidarity with the Workers who declared an open strike and a sit-in until bringing down the regime of Mubarak.
And we are here to celebrate, celebrate a new dawn A new dawn for the Egyptian people A New dawn for freedom, a new dawn, a new society in the whole region not in Egypt. This is something that every single human being who cares for freedom who wants to live in a more human society and a more humane society, has to celebrate. We are here to do this.
Interviewer: (inaudible)
Wagdi: It’s something… I had hoped against all hope to happen in my lifetime…and I had hoped and I think with millions of people…. that our children will live in a more human society but this society we have lucky enough that the heroes in Egypt are making today.. they are not waiting for our children to dream they are bringing all of our dreams true today. In Suez, in the factories in the Tahrir (inaudible) the biggest square in the Arab world is being liberated today from this regime.
Interviewer: (inaudible)
Wagdi: I can’t hear you
Interviewer: (inaudible)
Wagdi: I am proud to be an Egyptian today. I can say this and I’m proud of all Egyptians today. I’m proud of the masses who are cleansing Egypt of that hurt of the criminals who have been oppressing us. I’m proud of all the Egyptians who are cleansing themselves of all remnants of fear, of… I’m proud of an Egyptian people and of the masses who collectively and singly have raised their heads up high and no one, no one will bring it down again, no one
Interviewer: (inaudible)
Wagdi: No one
Interviewer: (inaudible) something to the people of Egypt today what would that be?
Wagdi: I have to say in Arabic first (speaks in Arabic to the people in Egypt) I I call on you, I call upon you out there (inaudible/background voice in crowd: “I love you Egypt!”) the task under your feet…I say this to the masses of Egypt who are the Heroes today…
……..
If anyone can offer the Arabic verse and english translation of Mr. Wagdi’s words to the people of Egypt this would be greatly appreciated. We will edit the text accordingly.
My hope is that Mr. Wagdi’s words reach not only the brave masses of Egyptians but everyone the world over, for this is truly a call for freedom and solidarity.
My dream is that freedom will come for all those who have suffered and waited so long in sumud.
I believe in freedom.
So why does Obama continue to stand by Mubarak while he destroys the country?
