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‘Come Join Us!‘ See Egyptian Women Protest Soldiers’ Recent Violent Crackdown

Egyptian Women Protest Against Soldiers Recent Violence

(Photo: AP/Amr Nabil)

CAIRO (AP) — Around 10,000 women marched through central Cairo demanding Egypt’s ruling military step down Tuesday in an unprecedented show of outrage over soldiers who dragged women by the hair and stomped on them, and stripped one half-naked in the street during a fierce crackdown on activists the past week.

The dramatic protest, which grew as the women marched from Tahrir Square through downtown, was fueled by the widely circulated images of abuses of women. Many of the marchers touted the photo of the young woman whose clothes were partially pulled off by troops, baring her down to her blue bra, as she struggled on the ground.

“Tantawi stripped your women naked, come join us,” the crowd chanted to passers-by, referring to Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, the head of the military council that has ruled Egypt since the Feb. 11 fall of Hosni Mubarak. “The daughters of Egypt are a red line,” they chanted.

Watch the Associated Press raw footage of the protest:

Even before the protest was over, the military council issued an unusually strong statement of regret for what it called “violations” against women — a quick turnaround after days of dismissing the significance of the abuse.

The council expressed “deep regret to the great women of Egypt” and affirmed “its respect and total appreciation” for women and their right to protest and take part in political life. It promised it was taking measures to punish those responsible for violations.

The statement suggested the military’s fear that attacks on women could wreck its prestige at home and abroad, which has already been heavily eroded by its fierce, five-day-old crackdown on pro-democracy protesters demanding it surrender power. The ruling generals have campaigned to keep the public on its side in the confrontation, depicting the activists as hooligans and themselves as the honorable protectors of the nation, above reproach.

In unusually harsh words, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Monday accused the Egyptian security forces and extremists of specifically targeting women.

“This systematic degradation of Egyptian women dishonors the revolution, disgraces the state and its uniform, and is not worthy of a great people,” she said.

Egyptian Women Protest Against Soldiers Recent Violence

In a possibly significant hint of new flexibility, the council also said in its statement Tuesday that it was prepared to discuss any initiatives to help the security of the country. In recent days, a number of political factions have pressed the military to hand over power by February, rather than June, when it promised to hold presidential elections.

In the past, police in Mubarak’s regime were accused of intentionally humiliating women in protest crackdowns. But images of women being abused by soldiers were particularly shocking in a society that is deeply conservative and generally reveres the military. The independent press has splashed its front pages with pictures of soldiers chasing women protesters, including ones in conservative headscarves and full face-veils, beating them with sticks and clubs and dragging them by their hair. The crackdown has left 14 people dead — all but one by gunshots — and hundreds wounded.

The images of the half-stripped protester, whose identity is not known, clearly had a powerful resonance. A banner showing a photo of her on the asphalt — one soldier yanking up her black robes and shirt, another poised to stomp on her chest — was put up in Tahrir Square for passing drivers to see.

“The girl dragged around is just like my daughter,” said Um Hossam, a 54-year old woman in traditional black dress and a headscarf at Tuesday’s march. “I am a free woman, and attacking this woman or killing protesters is just like going after one of my own children.”

Ringed by a protective chain of men, the women marched from Tahrir to the Journalists’ Syndicate, several blocks away, chanting slogans demanding the military council step down.

Many accused the military of intentionally targeting women to scare them and their male relatives from joining protests against the generals. Previously, the military has implied women who joined protests were of loose morals. In March, soldiers subjected detained female protesters to humiliating tests to determine if they were virgins.

“They are trying to break women’s spirits, starting with the virginity tests. They want to break their dignity so that they don’t go out and protest,” Maha Abdel-Nasser, an engineer who joined the march, said.

Two sisters, Yomna and Tasneem Shams, said they never took part in previous protests because their parents wouldn’t allow them. But they happened to be downtown Tuesday and spontaneously joined the women’s march.

“No one should ever be beaten for expressing their opinion,” Yomna, 19, said. “I am proud I took part in today’s protest. I feel I can tell my kids I have done something for them in the future.”

Some also criticized Islamic parties, which stayed out of the antimilitary protests and did not participate in Tuesday’s march — even though religious conservatives often tout their defense of “women’s honor.” Pro-democracy activists accused them of being worried about anything that might derail ongoing, multistage parliamentary elections, which the fundamentalist Muslim Brotherhood and the more conservative Al-Nour Party have dominated so far.

“This is a case of honor. But they clearly don’t care for honor or religion. They now care only about their political interests,” said Mohammed Fawaz, one of the men in the protective chain around the marching women.

The protest also is likely to deepen the predicament of the military as critics began to talk openly about putting them on trial for abuses, and politicians are floating ideas for their exit, perhaps in return for immunity.

Emad Gad, a newly elected lawmaker, said that without guarantees they would not be prosecuted, the generals won’t hand over power by the end of June as promised. Foremost on their minds, he said, was the fate of Mubarak, who ended in court facing charges that carry the death penalty after ruling Egypt for nearly 30 years.

“They didn’t get clear assurances and that is why they try diabolical tactics to make sure they get these guarantees,” he said, citing the military’s attempt to enshrine in the next constitution language that would shield it from civilian scrutiny.

“We have to address their fears, their interests and future role,” he said.

The public and many activists welcomed the military when it took power from Mubarak in February. But relations have deteriorated sharply since as the democracy activists accused the generals of hijacking their uprising, obstructing reforms, human rights abuses and failing to revive the ailing economy or restore security.

The most recent protests — and earlier round of protests that saw a deadly crackdown last month — have seen unprecedentedly bold ridiculing of the military, which for decades was considered a revered institution above criticism. Young protesters have heaped profanities into their antimilitary slogans, demanded the execution of Tantawi and taunted soldiers in Tahrir.

On Monday, a member of the military council, Maj. Gen. Adel Emara, took a hard-line in a press conference, denouncing the protests as a conspiracy to “topple the state” and accusing the media of fomenting sedition.

He defended the use of force by troops, saying they had a duty to defend the state’s institutions and declined to offer an apology for brutality toward female protesters. He did not dispute the authenticity of the image of the woman being dragged half naked by soldiers, but said Egyptians should not see it without considering the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The apparent change in attitude with Tuesday’s statement of regret left some women unimpressed.

Sahar Abdel-Mohsen, a 31-year old activist, doubted the promise to punish those responsible and said the statement was in response to the U.S. criticism. “This is an apology to one woman, Hilary Clinton.”

“This is like someone raping a girl, and then going to the police station to marry her (to avoid prosecution) and then divorce her as soon as he leaves,” she said. “It is an attempt to exonerate themselves after the deed is done, but with little accountability.”

Comments (33)

  • RayOne
    Posted on December 29, 2011 at 12:31pm

    The American N.O.W. has an opportunity to voice support for Egyptian Sisters.

    Report Post » RayOne  
  • janmil200
    Posted on December 24, 2011 at 2:31am

    Pray for the women of Egypt. The Bible says that the head of the serpent will be crushed by the woman.

    Report Post »  
  • mikee1
    Posted on December 22, 2011 at 6:21am

    More Moslem Brotherhood Spring brought to you by Odumbo Inc.

    Report Post » mikee1  
  • jungle J
    Posted on December 21, 2011 at 8:35pm

    Are these the same Egyptian muslims who screeched allah ackbar while the muslim Egyptian military slaughted Coptic Christian “infidels”

    Report Post »  
    • charleyrocks
      Posted on December 22, 2011 at 5:31am

      Now will the Muslim women believe that men are men no matter what religion they are! And stand up and be counted for their freedom. Muslim men only carry their religion on their sleeves they actually don’t practice what they preach and yes there are Muslim rapists. leave their sorry asses!

      Report Post » charleyrocks  
  • Ruler4You
    Posted on December 21, 2011 at 5:07pm

    You get what you give.

    Report Post » Ruler4You  
  • Marsh626
    Posted on December 21, 2011 at 12:32pm

    Are these the same Egyptian muslims who screeched allah ackbar while the muslim Egyptian military slaughted Coptic Christian “infidels” a couple months ago?

    Now that one of their own, a muslim female in muslim garb, gets attacked, NOW they’re pissed…

    Report Post »  
  • thegreatcarnac
    Posted on December 21, 2011 at 11:58am

    All these protests in many places are practice runs by the obama trash for this summer in the US. The crowds in Egypt are not pro-US but you can bet that obama-CIA operatives are involved somewhere just for to get our foot in the door and to practice the dynamics of a nationwide protest. The protest by the women is brave and a new wrinkle. My bet is that they will not be allowed to keep up a ‘womens’ protest very long.

    Report Post »  
  • mike_trivisonno
    Posted on December 21, 2011 at 11:38am

    This is all bull crap. There will not be any sort of freedom in Egypt. Islamic culture is not born of Greek thought and it is not amenable to the notions of individual liberty and the Republican form of government the West has spent millennia refining.

    Islamic culture restrains the individual, does not protect or promote freedom, and lacks the functionality needed to refine and improve its form of government. The cultural history for the form of government enjoyed by people of the West simply does not exist in the Islamic world. Muslims, steeped in the Islamic culture, do not have the intellectual structures, institutions, and even language to describe and implement a functioning Republic.

    Islam acts as a retardant; slowing and stopping the cultural evolution of those it conquers. It then seeks to erase and replace the conquered with Islam and Sharia, in effect turning back the hands of time and sinking the conquered into a Dark Age of violence, tyranny, and ignorance.

    Report Post » mike_trivisonno  
    • knighttemplar999
      Posted on December 21, 2011 at 11:53am

      On the next planet of the apes movie they should have all the apes taking up Islam and going around doing Muslim activities, after all Muslims are dumb as apes.

      Report Post »  
    • mike_trivisonno
      Posted on December 21, 2011 at 12:11pm

      They’re ways are alien to the Western mind. Nothing in Islamic culture is based on honest brokering. The entire edifice of Islamic culture is based on growth through deception and maintenance through violence. One need only look at the high cultures brought low by Islamic conquest. Everywhere in the Islamic world is either a thin veneer of Western tech glommed on the stinking pile of Islam or abject poverty and ignorance.

      Report Post » mike_trivisonno  
    • lukerw
      Posted on December 21, 2011 at 2:11pm

      You know it, well! Great presentation!

      Report Post » lukerw  
  • lukerw
    Posted on December 21, 2011 at 11:18am

    Tools… doing what they are told to do!

    Report Post » lukerw  
  • Tri-ox
    Posted on December 21, 2011 at 10:52am

    This is obama’s Egypt.

    Report Post » Tri-ox  
  • This_Individual
    Posted on December 21, 2011 at 10:27am

    Come on over here ladies! We like women (well, at least most of us do).

    Report Post »  
  • lovethelonestar
    Posted on December 21, 2011 at 10:27am

    I’m shocked that these women are just now protesting the horrid treatment of the woman that was beaten and CAUGHT ON CAMERA. What did they expect from this so called government. Then to also criticized Islamic parties that stayed away from their protest and in their words ” religious conservatives often tout their defense of women’s honor. WHERE HAVE THESE WOMEN BEEN……THIS IS THE MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD.
    I do wish the women of Egypt the best of luck, but past and current history of the parties involved does not give me hope for their future. Such a shame that their future seems doomed to a slavery of the mind, body and soul.

    Report Post » lovethelonestar  
    • littleQueenie
      Posted on December 21, 2011 at 1:11pm

      Women tried to group and form peaceful protests in support of women’s rights shortly after Mubarak’s fall. When they gathered in Tahrir Square, a crowd of men surrounded them, shouting that they were acting shamefully and they should go home – so they did.
      Islam is built upon the shame of women, the woman carry it on their heads with the uniform they are forced to wear to prove they are “pure”, if they were deemed “impure” the honor of their male relatives would be tarnished – the worst possible offense for a Muslim male.
      Islam would collapse if there were a true revolution of the women against this burden that subdues them. I don’t think the women can do it – too brainwashed, too afraid of having the crap beat out of them.

      Report Post »  
  • discus02
    Posted on December 21, 2011 at 10:23am

    Better let your voices be heard now Ladies. If the Hood gets control neither your faces of voices will be seen or heard! God Bless All of You!

    Report Post »  
  • bhelmet
    Posted on December 21, 2011 at 10:09am

    The military in Egypt will turn the guns on the people soon enough. These women standing up (God Bless them), I fear are being tallied and will be remembered. They will soon enough be punished when the world is in such despair – when noone is concerned with Egypt anymore. See how much people are paying attention to Egypt when the “heat” is turned up in the United States. The world will be full of atrocities.

    Report Post » bhelmet  
  • Jenny Lind
    Posted on December 21, 2011 at 9:56am

    Madame, how long will you be free if the Muslim brotherhood get their way? Are you such a fool that you want Sharia law? It will end your vote, your property rights, your daughter‘s right’s. What happened was wrong-but where were you when a woman was attacked by the protesters? Didn’t she matter? Or was she just a bad person for working in your country as a journalist? Don’t expect the men in your country to give you anything, the military is between you, and hell. Let them figure out who did it and punish them. Do not loose your right’s by supprting the “hood”.

    Report Post »  
    • Locked
      Posted on December 21, 2011 at 10:05am

      ” It will end your vote, your property rights, your daughter‘s right’s.”

      You mean all the rights that are being denied by the military right now?

      Report Post »  
    • V-MAN MACE
      Posted on December 21, 2011 at 10:14am

      Yea, exactly, Locked.

      Ron Paul 2012.

      Report Post » V-MAN MACE  
    • Depressed_American
      Posted on December 21, 2011 at 10:27am

      The Sharia Law movement is worse than the military restrictions on the People of Egypt. WOMEN of the MIDDLE EAST, how can you support a movement that takes away your rights, except what your husband, brother, or father allowes you to have. You right of freewill; the right to vote; the right to move about freely; The right to speak your mind; ALL WILL BE taken away if you support the Sharia Law that so many are calling for!!!!

      Report Post » Depressed_American  
    • Locked
      Posted on December 21, 2011 at 10:52am

      “how can you support a movement that takes away your rights… You right of freewill; the right to vote; the right to move about freely.”

      Again, like what the military is doing right now? I’m not defending or supporting Sharia law, but it’s disingenuous to say “Don’t try Democracy, it’ll be worse, you’ll have no rights!” when those rights are being violated right now.

      Report Post »  
  • barber2
    Posted on December 21, 2011 at 9:55am

    Am surprised to see so many women wearing headscarves as I thought Egypt was a more secular society. Are these militant Muslim women of the “Brotherhood” trying to take down the more secular army ?

    Report Post »  
  • singleparent
    Posted on December 21, 2011 at 9:55am

    If it‘s not happen’ing in America or Isreal who care’s…..

    Report Post »  
    • RedheadedStepchild
      Posted on December 21, 2011 at 11:16am

      Single parent…I care. I am a woman, and I care. The plight of women there is the plight of women everywhere. Even if I didn’t have my sister there, I would care. We do not live in a vacuum. Some of the comments that people have made are true, the military IS better than the hood at this point. My sister lives there because her ex refuses to allow their son to leave; she is stuck until he turns eighteen. (The movie: Not Without my Daughter is real- it happens) Women for the most part do have more rights in Egypt than other Middle Eastern countries. They don’t wear the head scarf all the time except in the more conservative areas of the country – manly the countryside- but if you want to show you are virtuous-then you wear your scarf. Normally my sister goes without a head scarf but makes sure her dress is modest-no cleavage…etc. This invites stares and disrespect – no police beating you down like in Iran or SA- but I am afraid, and so is she that if MB or another group like that takes over that life for women will change. So Single parent, as you define yourself, have compassion and respect…and if you support Israel- Egypt is a vital player that region. And in this Holy Season I pray that people everywhere practice the Fruits of the Spirit…love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

      Report Post »  
    • gwssacredcause
      Posted on December 21, 2011 at 2:08pm

      I am afraid for the women in this country. I believe this will soon be happening here as our Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is supporting (OIC) Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the U. N. Resolution 16/18. Some women in this country are working to silence voices against Islam, not wanting anything negative to surface.

      Report Post »  
  • thegoldman
    Posted on December 21, 2011 at 9:53am

    The woman seam like the only sane people there !

    Report Post » thegoldman  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on December 21, 2011 at 9:53am

    These are the tactics of radicals and extremists who come to power…

    Force the people to rise in outrage against a symbol of the old regime (the army of Egypt)
    Declare that you have the solution to the problem (the Muslim Brotherhood)
    Once in power commense the ruthless and uttermost oppression of the people, bending and breaking them to your insane ideology extremes or killing them if they refuse.

    So it is commensing in the Middle East.

    So Obama shall do so here if he gets the chance; and the repression will start soon with force, as the Occupy bands commense upping the antes’ more and more.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  

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