While Americans were celebrating their Independence Day over the weekend, local representatives traveled to Istanbul, Turkey to join thousands in a peaceful International Sit-in commemorating the events that occurred in Rabia Aladwya Square.
Streaming online all weekend from July 3-6, via Al Jazeera and MakemeleenTV, the Union of NGOs of the Islamic world, Egyptian Solidarity Association (Rabia), and other humanitarian organizations gathered along with political, media, and public figures to speak on the importance of freedom and democracy in Egypt and around the world.
Local Egyptian American Mohamed Ismail worked with event organizers to send local representatives to speak about democracy from an American perspective. Mr. Ismail has been part of a global movement of Egyptians living abroad who want to address human rights violations and to promote a legitimate and just democracy in Egypt, like they have experienced living abroad in democratic countries like the United States.
Mr. Ismail worked with others to start the movement Egyptians Abroad for Democracy Worldwide, which has organized and participated in a number of domestic and global events for democracy, including this weekend’s International Sit-in.
Gandhi’s Be Magazine Editor-in-Chief Missy Crutchfield joined the American speakers at the events in Istanbul. “We work with the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, and serve to tell the stories of brave people and organizations who fight for social justice around the world,” said Ms. Crutchfield. "Through the April 6 youth movement we learned that the power of the Internet, social media, and mobile technology is the new frontline of democracy and activism. It has been one year since demonstrations in Rabia Aladwya Square which resulted in one of the biggest civilian massacres in Egyptian history. Let our message today be a united voice for peace and nonviolence, freedom and democracy around the world.”
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