L.A. protesters stand in solidarity with Egypt
Los Angeles, CA – As massive demonstrations continue in Egypt, activists from around southern California – home to a large Arab-American and Muslim community – rallied here to demand an end to Mubarak's regime. Protesters gathered at the downtown federal building on Feb. 5 and at the Egyptian Consulate on Feb. 6. Hundreds of people came to each event.
“From the Nile, to the sea, Egypt Egypt will be free!” was a popular chant. Protesters echoed the sentiments of the Egyptian masses gathered at Tahrir Square in Cairo: Hosni Mubarak must step down immediately; the new vice-president Omar Sulieman represents the same regime; and U.S. support for the Egyptian dictatorship must end immediately. Egypt is the second-largest recipient of U.S. military aid in the world, after Israel. “No dollars for dictators!” was another popular chant at the Feb. 6 protest.
“We are here supporting our family members [in Egypt],” said Ibrahim Bahloul, one of the protesters. “We want a new constitution so Egypt can be free.”