The Revolution of 2011
The revolution of Egypt was much like that of Tunisia. It consisted of demonstrations, riots, rebellions, and non-violent civil resistance. Also like Tunisia and the others, Egypt urged the overthrow their leader President Hosni Mubarak. The revolution included many different aspects that were being undermined at the time. Islamic, nationalist, anti-capitalist, Feminism, and liberal elements all were seen throughout the Egyptian revolution of 2011.
The Egyptian revolution didn’t happen once like most over countries in the Arab spring, but twice. Once in 2011, and the other in June of 2013, (Also called the June 30 revolution). In 2011 immediately following the president of Tunisia, protests erupted in Egypt. The protest of 2011 took place in Cairo, Alexandria, and other cities. [1] It resulted in over 800 people killed and an inflation of burned police stations (over 90). [2] Was caused by political issues, police brutality, lack of free elections, freedom of speech, economic issues, corruption and the demand for their president Mubarak to step down, much like Tunisia.
The revolutions of Tunisia and now Egypt have influenced demonstrations in many other countries such as Yemen, Bahrain, Jordan, Syria and Libya. As we will see later in Syria, a small country protesting for similar reasons.
During this time, Cairo was described as a “war zone” [3] with gangs, and violence. On February 11, 2011, it was announced that Mubarak would be resigning as president, and turing the power over to the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF). SCAF is a senior Egyptian military officers (20-25 of them) who are held only in case of war, or great internal emergencies, such as this revolution within Egypt. On May 24, Mubarak was ordered to stand trial on charges of premeditated murder of peaceful protesters and, could possibly face the death penalty. [4]
Following Mubaraks charges of premeditated murder, Mubarak was found guilty on June 2, 2012, and was sentenced to lifetime imprisonment, but was overturned quickly after. This led to more protests that took to the streets on June 19. Around this time, the Muslim brotherhood was becoming stronger and where many other protesters were part of this group. After this protest, it was announced on June 24 that Mohamed Morsi won the election, and was named fifth president of Egypt. As seen in the 2013 revolution of Egypt, this does not go over well, where Morsi was deposed by a coup d’état, ending his one year reign.
The Egyptian revolution didn’t happen once like most over countries in the Arab spring, but twice. Once in 2011, and the other in June of 2013, (Also called the June 30 revolution). In 2011 immediately following the president of Tunisia, protests erupted in Egypt. The protest of 2011 took place in Cairo, Alexandria, and other cities. [1] It resulted in over 800 people killed and an inflation of burned police stations (over 90). [2] Was caused by political issues, police brutality, lack of free elections, freedom of speech, economic issues, corruption and the demand for their president Mubarak to step down, much like Tunisia.
The revolutions of Tunisia and now Egypt have influenced demonstrations in many other countries such as Yemen, Bahrain, Jordan, Syria and Libya. As we will see later in Syria, a small country protesting for similar reasons.
During this time, Cairo was described as a “war zone” [3] with gangs, and violence. On February 11, 2011, it was announced that Mubarak would be resigning as president, and turing the power over to the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF). SCAF is a senior Egyptian military officers (20-25 of them) who are held only in case of war, or great internal emergencies, such as this revolution within Egypt. On May 24, Mubarak was ordered to stand trial on charges of premeditated murder of peaceful protesters and, could possibly face the death penalty. [4]
Following Mubaraks charges of premeditated murder, Mubarak was found guilty on June 2, 2012, and was sentenced to lifetime imprisonment, but was overturned quickly after. This led to more protests that took to the streets on June 19. Around this time, the Muslim brotherhood was becoming stronger and where many other protesters were part of this group. After this protest, it was announced on June 24 that Mohamed Morsi won the election, and was named fifth president of Egypt. As seen in the 2013 revolution of Egypt, this does not go over well, where Morsi was deposed by a coup d’état, ending his one year reign.
The Revolution of June 2013
The June revolution was sparked by the one-year anniversary of Mohamed Morsis inauguration as the fifth president of Egypt. Mass protests were demonstrated to his upheaval. These events led to Morsis being removed. The events ended with the 2013 Egyptian coup d’état, which was essentially the overthrow of Morsis led by the Egyptian army chief General Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, and millions of protesters following this, taking to the streets and demanding his resignation. [5]
The protest and uproar officially started when Morsi government issued a highly controversial draft constitution that gave him unlimited powers over the states judicial system. The need for Morsi’s to resign was based off of multiple reasons, that was signed on December 2012. The constitution declared many unclear laws, and regulations. [7] Another reason for his removal was for one, increased allegations of his increasing authoritarianism, and his push through an islamist agenda that ignored the previous secular (nonreligious) resistance.[6] The protest went on for seven months.
The peaceful protest maneuvered from being peaceful to quite violent when the muslim brother hood entered Cairo. Morsi supported also came out and gathered up a rally during this time in Cairo, where a total of 16 people were killed, and 200 injured, according to their state-run news agency.
On July 1, the military announced a nationwide TV and radio statement giving both the government and the protesters a 48-hour ultimatum to resolve the political crisis and to meet the peoples demands, or they would be forced to intervene. Morsi stated the next day that he declared his rejection of the declaration and claimed he was the voice of the people. The same day, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, as talked about in the 2011 revolution stated on their Facebook page a title of "The Final Hours" that read: "We swear by God that we are ready to sacrifice our blood for Egypt and its people against any terrorist, extremist or fool” [8]
Hundreds of Egyptians raised their national flag in front of the United Nations Headquarters in New York City voicing their opposition to the President Mohamed Morsi and the Muslim brotherhood, and holding signs saying “Leave”. [9] On July 3, it was announced that Morsi had been replaced by the head of the constitution court Adly Mansour, and the constitution that the people of Egypt rejected so much was finally suspended. This revolution was marked as a major turing point for the country and the Muslim Brotherhood.
The protest and uproar officially started when Morsi government issued a highly controversial draft constitution that gave him unlimited powers over the states judicial system. The need for Morsi’s to resign was based off of multiple reasons, that was signed on December 2012. The constitution declared many unclear laws, and regulations. [7] Another reason for his removal was for one, increased allegations of his increasing authoritarianism, and his push through an islamist agenda that ignored the previous secular (nonreligious) resistance.[6] The protest went on for seven months.
The peaceful protest maneuvered from being peaceful to quite violent when the muslim brother hood entered Cairo. Morsi supported also came out and gathered up a rally during this time in Cairo, where a total of 16 people were killed, and 200 injured, according to their state-run news agency.
On July 1, the military announced a nationwide TV and radio statement giving both the government and the protesters a 48-hour ultimatum to resolve the political crisis and to meet the peoples demands, or they would be forced to intervene. Morsi stated the next day that he declared his rejection of the declaration and claimed he was the voice of the people. The same day, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, as talked about in the 2011 revolution stated on their Facebook page a title of "The Final Hours" that read: "We swear by God that we are ready to sacrifice our blood for Egypt and its people against any terrorist, extremist or fool” [8]
Hundreds of Egyptians raised their national flag in front of the United Nations Headquarters in New York City voicing their opposition to the President Mohamed Morsi and the Muslim brotherhood, and holding signs saying “Leave”. [9] On July 3, it was announced that Morsi had been replaced by the head of the constitution court Adly Mansour, and the constitution that the people of Egypt rejected so much was finally suspended. This revolution was marked as a major turing point for the country and the Muslim Brotherhood.
Works Cited
[1] "Egypt: Cairo's Tahrir Square fills with protesters". BBC. 8 July 2011. Archived from the original on 9 July 2011. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
[2] "Was the Egyptian revolution really non-violent?". Egypt Independent. 2012-01-24. Retrieved 2013-03-25."Was the Egyptian revolution really non-violent?". Egypt Independent. 2012-01-24. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
[3] Siddique, Haroon; Owen, Paul; Gabbatt, Adam (25 January 2011). "Protests in Egypt and unrest in Middle East – as it happened". The Guardian (UK). Archived from the original on 26 January 2011. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
[4] "Mubarak to be tried for murder of protesters". Reuters. 24 May 2011. Archived from the original on 31 May 2011.Retrieved 28 November 2014.
[5] "Millions flood Egypt's streets to demand Mursi quit". Reuters. 30 June 2013. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
[6] Patrick Kingsley (30 June 2013). "Protesters across Egypt call for Mohamed Morsi to go". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
[7] "Morsy issues new constitutional declaration". Egypt Independent. 22 November 2013. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
[8] "Egypt's military gives Morsy ultimatum". CNN. 2 July 2013. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
[9] "Egyptians protest abroad". Daily News Egypt. July 1, 2013. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
[2] "Was the Egyptian revolution really non-violent?". Egypt Independent. 2012-01-24. Retrieved 2013-03-25."Was the Egyptian revolution really non-violent?". Egypt Independent. 2012-01-24. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
[3] Siddique, Haroon; Owen, Paul; Gabbatt, Adam (25 January 2011). "Protests in Egypt and unrest in Middle East – as it happened". The Guardian (UK). Archived from the original on 26 January 2011. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
[4] "Mubarak to be tried for murder of protesters". Reuters. 24 May 2011. Archived from the original on 31 May 2011.Retrieved 28 November 2014.
[5] "Millions flood Egypt's streets to demand Mursi quit". Reuters. 30 June 2013. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
[6] Patrick Kingsley (30 June 2013). "Protesters across Egypt call for Mohamed Morsi to go". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
[7] "Morsy issues new constitutional declaration". Egypt Independent. 22 November 2013. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
[8] "Egypt's military gives Morsy ultimatum". CNN. 2 July 2013. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
[9] "Egyptians protest abroad". Daily News Egypt. July 1, 2013. Retrieved 28 November 2014.