It’s 3:30 pm my time in Saskatchewan, Sunday Jan 30.
124,615 have signed onto the Avaaz petition.
200,000 is the goal.
These kids are terrific. Let’s give them a hand! /Sandra
Begin forwarded message:
From: “Avaaz.org” <avaaz AT avaaz.org>
Date: January 30, 2011 8:51:03 AM GMT-05:00
Subject: Thanks for showing your solidarity with Egyptian protesters
Thank you for signing the statement! Your name has been added. The more people join this campaign, the more powerful our call will be. Help spread the word — forward this link to friends and family, and join other Avaaz members in donating your status on Facebook: “I stand with the Egyptian people. http://j.mp/standwithegypt — Join me by making this your status message today!”
Thanks so much,
The Avaaz Team
—–
Dear friends in the Middle East and North Africa,
The demonstrations in Egypt this week could be a critical turning point away from three decades of repressive rule and towards democracy.
So far the government has responded with tear gas and mass arrests, and the Minister of Interior has outlawed public gatherings. But the Tunisian people have shown us what is possible when determined citizens raise their voices together. And now the government’s resolve is weakening — even the Prime Minister is supporting the right to peaceful protest, and Mubarak’s family has fled the country.
The situation could change within days or even hours, and what happens next depends of all of us. Let’s stand with those on the streets and build a deafening outcry against rampant corruption and political repression, and for democratic reform. Sign the emergency petition to President Mubarak and forward this message widely:
https://secure.avaaz.org/en/democracy_for_egypt/97.php?cl_tta_sign=4695c0d73dae2f9499ba4a69745753f0
For thirty years, the Egyptian people have experienced crackdowns on the free press and increasing limitations on their freedom of assembly and ability to participate in politics. Hundreds of people were beaten and detained during the 2010 Parliamentary elections as the government blatantly intimidated the opposition and incrementally changed laws to tighten its grip on power. This week more than 500 protesters have been detained across the country, and the government has tried to block access to Facebook, Twitter and other websites.
But the Egyptians are undeterred and across the country are peacefully trying to reclaim the government to serve the interests of the people. And recent events in Tunisia show if enough of us stand up, this radical change is possible.
Let’s show the government that peaceful people are tired of the entrenched regime’s corruption and repression, and that the movement is too large to break with intimidation and violence. Let’s join the protesters and call for reform now. Sign the petition, and forward it to everyone you know:
https://secure.avaaz.org/en/democracy_for_egypt/97.php?cl_tta_sign=4695c0d73dae2f9499ba4a69745753f0
Now is the time to stand firm and pursue our dreams of freedom, peace, and prosperity.
With hope,
Stephanie, Pascal, Alice, Rewan, Ricken, Morgan, Graziela and the rest of the Avaaz team
PS. Avaaz will work with internet activists to provide proxy servers to get Twitter, Facebook, and other social networks back up and ensure that critical messages of reform and real-time updates can reach the widest possible audience across Egypt and around the world.
More Information:
Egyptian police have used tear gas and water cannon to break up rare anti-government protests in the capital
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12283623
Clinton offered tepid support of the Egyptian government
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/01/26/us.mideast.concerns/
Egypt bans protests seeking end to Mubarak rule
http://af.reuters.com/article/egyptNews/idAFLDE70P1G820110126
Foreign Ministry declares that demonstrators had the right to express their views
http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/news/interior-ministry-policeman-killed-clash-demonstrators
‘Beginning of the end’ for Egypt’s Mubarak as son and wife flee
http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/105117/20110126/beginning-of-the-end-for-egypt-s-mubarak-as-son-and-wife-flee.htm
Twitter and web video site face clampdown in Egypt
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12284649
Amnesty International condemns the crackdown on demonstrations
http://amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/egypt-must-stop-crackdown-protesters-2011-01-26
Regular updates are being posted by Egyptian activists here:
http://www.elshaheeed.co.uk
Avaaz.org is a 6.5-million-person global campaign network that works to ensure that the views and values of the world’s people shape global decision-making. (“Avaaz” means “voice” or “song” in many languages.) Avaaz members live in every nation of the world; our team is spread across 13 countries on 4 continents and operates in 14 languages. Learn about some of Avaaz’s biggest campaigns here, or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.