The will of the vast majority of the Egyptian people has won the day. I sat in my rental car yesterday listening to what almost everyone thought would be the announcement by Mubarak that he would step down. He could not bring himself to do it. The crowd in Egypt’s Tahrir/Liberation Square exploded with anger. They began to march, but instead of letting their fury breakout in life threatening violence, they spoke of remaining peaceful. The people of Egypt rose to the occasion day after day using the strategy and moral understanding taught by Martin Luther King and Ghandi. These words by King say it best.
“We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protests to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with Soul Force.”
Now there is much hard and daunting work to be done. However, having brought about this incredible change without violence, the standard to move forward is nonviolence. What a wonderful foundation upon which to begin a new future. The U.S. government has much to learn about change and democracy. They should begin their lessons with Dr. King and the Egyptian people.
Power to the people, Power to the peaceful.
Hosni Mubarak resigns as president
Egyptian president stands down and hands over power to the Supreme Council for the Armed Forces.
ALJAZEERA: 11Feb, 2011
Hosni Mubarak, the Egyptian president, has resigned from his post, handing over power to the armed forces.
Omar Suleiman, the vice-president, announced in a televised address that the president was "waiving" his office, and had handed over authority to the Supreme Council of the armed forces.
Suleiman's short statement was received with a roar of approval and by celebratory chanting and flag-waving from a crowd of hundreds of thousands in Cairo's Tahrir Square, as well by pro-democracy campaigners who attended protests across the country on Friday.
The crowd in Tahrir chanted "We have brought down the regime", while many were seen crying, cheering and embracing one another. Read the rest here.
