Egyptian-Americans in Los Angeles—showing solidarity with Egyptians who have been protesting in Cairo, Alexandria, Suez and other Egyptian cities the past five days and calling for a regime change—came together on January 29, echoing the Egyptian peoples’ call against their president Hosni Mubarak, demanding that Mubarak resign, vocalizing Egyptian pride and criticizing United State’s longstanding aid to Mubarak’s government.
Gathering outside the Federal Building in Westwood, peaceful demonstrators waved Egyptian flags and carried signs that said, “Step down you traitor,” Mubarak Out,” and Stop USA Support of Mubarak,” standing on both sides of the street around 1:30 p.m, chanting in English and Arabic and encouraging cars driving by on Wilshire Boulevard to honk their horns in support of their message.
Organizers of Saturday’s rally estimated that between 500 and 600 people had attended, but a Los Angeles Police Department official at the demonstration said between 100 and 500 people participated. Many non-Egyptian Americans were there as well.
Abdulrahman Shabana, a student at Cal State University, wrapped his body at in an Egyptian flag during Saturday’s event.
“[For] 30 years the Egyptians have suffered,” he said. “That is enough for us.”
Earlier in the day, a smaller protest took place outside the Egyptian consulate’s local office, which approximately 20 people showed for. At the rally, Sarah Knopp, a teacher and organizer on behalf of Socialworker.org, led the crowd in chants that included, “Brick by brick, wall by wall; we’re going to see Mubarak fall.”
Another protest is planned for January 30, this one also expected to form outside Egyptian consulate’s local office.
Watch a video below of Egyptian-Americans and others rallying in Westwood, calling for the resignation of Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak.
