We the undersigned, Egyptian intellectuals, writers, artists and politicians, express our deepest concern regarding the current events in the city of el-Mahala al-Kubra, and condemn the violence inflicted on its citizens by the government and their terrorization on its hands. We also categorically reject the false charges levelled against the people of el-Mahala that they engaged in acts of destruction.
We urgently call upon all Egyptians, Arabs and all supporters of freedom and justice throughout the world, to give their support to the people of el-Mahala and to declare their solidarity with them, underscoring their legitimate right to strike and to demonstrate peacefully, to express their point of view, and to protest against the frightening deterioration of the economic and living conditions of the Egyptian people. This right is enshrined in all constitutions, and international conventions.
Declaring our uncoditional support of the people of el-Mahala, we demand that:
1- All those arrested in the recent events be immediately and unconditionally released.
2- The siege imposed on el-Mahala be immediately lifted and normal life resumed.
3- All those responsible for the massacre of el-Mahala be brought to trial.
Lastly, we underscore the fact that the populist uprising that took place in el-Mahala is a direct result of over three decades worth of oppressive governmental social and economic policies that have rendered a life of economic and social dignity less and less possible for the vast majority of the impoverished Egyptian people.
Our solidarity with the people of el-Mahala.
Long live the struggle of the Egyptian people
