Jan. 25, Egypt

Protests are ongoing right now in Egypt, after internet campaigns urging people to take to the streets and follow Tunisia's lead. Leading up to today, both the BBC and CNN have been almost downplaying the Tunisian effect on other Middle East countries, saying that Egypt will not see a Tunisian-style revolt. Although al-Jazeera is currently reporting that the protests are "scenes that the capital has not seen since the 1970s", given the lower internet penetration and larger size of the country, I'm starting to think that the BBC and CNN might be right. However I hope with all my heart that I'll be proven wrong. Here in Taiwan it's hard to find anyone who's keeping atop of these events: I once heard somewhere that there are only like two Taiwanese people in Egypt doing business, so the indifference is not unexpected. Still, the protestors in Egypt can be assured that their voice has been heard almost at the other end of the world, and even this far away they can find support for their cause.

Incidentally, the other end of the world from Taiwan is in Argentina, in a province named – what else could it be? – Formosa!

Update: Youtube footage of protests; also, Vodafone is also helping in its own way:

@VodafoneEgypt: Update: no blocking to any website from our side #Egypt #jan25

@yahya_sameh has a powerful image of a protester praying amid teargas:


Last but far from least, Mohamed ElBaradei calling out on Twitter:

@ElBaradei: The writing is on the wall. Hope regime gets it: change cannot wait.

@ElBaradei: Fully support call 4 peaceful demonstrations vs. repression & corruption. When our demands for change fall on deaf ears what options remain?

@ElBaradei: Threats of violence against participants in peaceful demos reveal the ugly face of a regime terrified of its own people