The Windsor Egyptian Community held a peaceful rally Saturday expressing support for the millions the restoration of the democratic process in Egypt following the military coup that ousted Egyptian president Mohammed Morsi from power.
There were dozens of signs being held high in front of Windsor’s city hall, saying “Condemn killing of innocent civilians,” “We’re against genocide” and “Crimes against humanity.” There was music playing, protestors waving Egyptian and Canadian flags, and people voicing their concerns about the violence in their homeland. Diaa Elkott’s 13-year-old daughter was one of the proud speakers to stand up and educate the Windsor community on Egyptian history.
“I want my children, who are all born in Canada and are Canadian-Egyptians, to know about that side of the pond and what is going on there,” Elkott said. “I want them to develop a sense of justice, freedom and also appreciate what we have here in Canada.”
Elkott said he participated in the rally to voice his concerns over the “fascist coup” that is taking place Egypt.
“There are horrible genocides against people from the same country, with the same race, the same religion – everything. The only difference is their political affiliations,” he said.
Egypt’s government is considering outlawing the Muslim Brotherhood following clashes between armed supporters of president Mohammed Morsi and security forces, according to The Canadian Press.
Violent clashes last week have lead to the deaths of hundreds of protesters.
On Wednesday, riot police, military helicopters, snipers and bulldozers broke up two sit-in protests in Cairo by Morsi supporters, leaving more than 600 people dead and thousands injured.
Local Egyptians hold a rally outside City Hall in downtown Windsor, Saturday, August 17, 2013. (DAX MELMER/The Windsor Star)
“Looking at images over there is terrible,” said Elkott, who has lived in Canada since 1997.
Leaving his mom, siblings and close friends in Egypt was a tough decision back then, he said. Now, being far away from them during this tragedy leaves him feeling helpless.
Luckily his mom and siblings lives in a smaller city north of Cairo, though he has others to worry about.
“I have friends that are like brothers and sisters who are joining the protests in Cairo,” Elkott said. “It’s very disconcerting and disheartening worrying to think about what could happen to them.”
Local Egyptians hold a rally outside City Hall in downtown Windsor, Saturday, August 17, 2013. (DAX MELMER/The Windsor Star)
His only means of assurance for their well-being is by Facebook. Elkott goes on his news feed every day.
“If they’re posting, I know they are fine,” he said.
Windsor rally organizer and spokesperson Prof. Abdul-Fattah Asfour said he was shocked, angry and disturbed by the news reports from Cairo on Friday.
Since the July 3 coup, hundreds of Egyptians have been shot dead, thousands have been injured and hundreds have been unlawfully jailed, including the country’s first democratically elected president Morsi, he said. In addition several pro- media outlets were shut down by the coup leaders. As millions of Egyptians took to the streets for five weeks protesting the military coup and demanding the restoration of their constitutional and democratic rights, Asfour said he needed to do something here in Windsor.
More than 200 local Egyptian-Canadians showed up for Windsor’s peaceful rally to protest the coup and to support the quest of ordinary Egyptians for dignity, freedom, and justice.
Local Egyptians hold a rally outside City Hall in downtown Windsor, Saturday, August 17, 2013. (DAX MELMER/The Windsor Star)
“Hopefully we get support from Canada to stand against the military coup that removed an elected government,” Asfour said.
Elkott said he is impressed how people in Canada can talk so freely.
“We are here probably opposing some of the political views in Canada, yet it’s unthinkable we’d see helicopters here and people shooting at us,” Elkott said.
“What we really hope our Canadian friends, brothers and sisters see out of this is to appreciate the democracy and freedoms we have here,” he said. “Let’s not take it for granted, let’s go to the polling stations and always be there because we can lose it at any time. It’s something we need to cherish.”
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Members of Windsor’s Egyptian community rallied Saturday at city hall square to show their support for democracy in Egypt. (Dax Melmer/The Windsor Star)
Local Egyptians hold a rally outside City Hall in downtown Windsor, Saturday, August 17, 2013. (DAX MELMER/The Windsor Star)
Local Egyptians hold a rally outside City Hall in downtown Windsor, Saturday, August 17, 2013. (DAX MELMER/The Windsor Star)
