Global solidarity with Egypt

The Egyptian revolt against the U.S.-backed Hosni Mubarak regime has inspired many workers and oppressed people throughout the world. Mass solidarity demonstrations have taken place to show support for Egypt’s popular uprising. Here are brief reports on just a few notable actions, most of them on Feb. 5 or 6.

Berlin Photo: Gabi Senft

In Palestine demonstrations in the thousands took place in the center of Ramallah, with parallel actions in Bethlehem and Nazareth. Demonstrators carried Egyptian, Tunisian and Palestinian flags. Besides repeating the demands heard from Tahrir Square in Cairo, the demonstrators demanded an end to U.S. and other Western imperialist countries’ aid to the Israeli occupiers. (www.alternativenews.org)

In Rome demonstrators gathered outside the Piazza della Repubblica. Communists, forces supporting Palestine, and democracy activists from Sri Lanka were among those who gathered. (bikyamasr.com)

In Amsterdam people called out by the Dutch Socialist Party gathered to stand with the Egyptians. They also protested the sale of Dutch armored vehicles to Egypt. (www.almasryalyoum.com)

In Iran many cities had massive demonstrations in support of the Egyptian people and against Mubarak and Israel. The rallies had the support of the government and 214 Iranian lawmakers, who also issued a statement in support of the Egyptian people. (www.tehrantimes.com)

In Baku, Azerbaijan, demonstrations were held in front of a statue of Mubarak. The protesters tried to link the crimes of Mubarak with their struggles, demanding cheaper water, public transportation and postal services, all of which are facing massive government cuts. The police, part of another U.S.-backed autocratic regime, forcibly ended the protests. (www.rferl.org)

Demonstrations were held outside the Egyptian Embassy in Berlin and Munich as well as in London and in Sydney, Australia.

The Egyptian Embassy in Ottawa was also targeted by a rally supporting the Egyptian uprising. Protests took place in Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver and other Canadian cities.

In Beirut, Lebanon, the Egyptian Embassy has been the scene of protests for more than a week, with rallies called by the Communist Party, the Union of Democratic Youth and various Islamic organizations. Among the slogans was “Mubarak, you’re an imposter, an invader for the Americans!” (www.dailystar.com.lb)

A massive rally held in New Delhi, India, was called by a new mass organization, the Egypt Solidarity Forum. In a statement, the ESF declared, “We believe that Egyptian people are victims of their own rulers as well as their Western masters.” It went on to say: “Hosni Mubarak has protected interests of capitalists, multinationals and his Western masters, mainly the United States.” (twocircles.net)

The Socialist Party of Malaysia has been holding solidarity actions regularly at the embassies of Egypt and the U.S. in Kuala Lumpur, which thousands attended on Feb. 4. (news release, PSM)

Nearly all the demonstrations around the world, including a large number not listed here, made an effort to link the corrupt Mubarak regime with its capitalist backers. The struggle against massive cuts in public services throughout the world, forcing workers to bear the brunt of the capitalist crisis, have been highlighted at nearly every solidarity protest.