80 million person revolution

We have all been watching Midan Tahrir (Liberation Square). It is a central congregation point situated in the heart of Cairo that holds an incredible amount of symbolic, political, historic, and social weight. Victories have been won there for centuries, victories for women, workers, students, and more generally, victories for people fighting for the most basic of human rights - food/bread, education, health care, housing, and employment. We will soon see Egypt’s current revolution be described on television as victorious, live from Midan Tahrir, this is a given. But we have to remember, in a country with a population of 80 million, the one or two million protestors that we watched and admired on Tuesday holding their ground at Midan Tahrir are only a tiny fraction of the millions (80 million) that have fought and will continue to fight until Mubarak’s regime comes to an end.

Yesterday Mubarak announced he would not step down , but rather would take his name off of the election ballots in September and not participate in the fascicle called Egyptian democratic elections. What a pathetic wish to resign from his 30 year dictatorship with a bit of dignity. Egyptians would never consider offering the very person who took away their pride, humanity, and livelihood an ounce of dignity. With this shared understanding, it is clear that yesterday the people continued to win. Their victory is rooted in their immediate collective response, across all of Egypt, to continue to demand the end of Mubrak’s regime now! As the graffiti of the walls on every building across Egypt translate – “Al sha3b 3az yasqot al nazam!” (The People want the regime to step down!).

After being told for 40 years that only fools can dare to imagine better living conditions for all, those living in Egypt are going to continue to directly fight against the state and its branches until they see their revolutionary dreams and aspirations come true. They will accept nothing less than witnessing the end of Mubarak and all he represents. Egypt has changed. It is already the country that the protesters are fighting for. It is overwhelmingly inspirational, it is unimaginable. All Egyptians, regardless of race, gender, religion, class, ability, age, and political views are out on the streets. Streets that they have made their homes until Mubarak and the insignificant few that are being paid to support him have no home to run to. Celebrate with all Egyptians and all Arabs across the Middle East who have been tirelessly organizing for all the revolutionary acts of resistance we have witnessed in Tunisia, Yemen, Jordan, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. And brace yourselves, as the world is going to soon witness what a revolution equally led by 80 million people looks like.

By my daughter Nahed.