SOLIDARITY PROTEST WITH EGYPTIAN PEOPLE TODAY AT 2PM AT EGYPTIAN EMBASSY, CLYDE ROAD, DUBLIN 4.

IAWM PRESS RELEASE – 17 AUGUST 2013

• END MILITARY AID TO EGYPT FROM USA AND REGIONAL DESPOTIC REGIMES

The Irish Anti-war Movement (IAWM) issued a statement today condemning the continuing massacre of peaceful civilians including many women and children by the Egyptian military and called for a solidarity protest today at the Egyptian Embassy, 12 Clyde Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.

The statement noted in particular deep concern for civilians, including four Irish citizens, trapped in a mosque surrounded by gun toting police.

The statement condemned the ongoing brutal assault by the Egyptian military that is firing indiscriminately into crowds of protesting civilians. It noted that the violence by the military is reversing the optimism and gains of the revolution of January 2011 and is stoking sectarian tension amongst an ever increasing polarized Egyptian population.

The statement further noted that the military have opportunistically used the power of the people on the streets on 30 June to reassert its authority and take control back from the people.

Jim Roche, PRO of the IAWM said:

IAWM PRESS RELEASE – 17 AUGUST 2013

• END MILITARY AID TO EGYPT FROM USA AND REGIONAL DESPOTIC REGIMES

The Irish Anti-war Movement (IAWM) issued a statement today condemning the continuing massacre of peaceful civilians including many women and children by the Egyptian military and called for a solidarity protest today at the Egyptian Embassy, 12 Clyde Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.

The statement noted in particular deep concern for civilians, including four Irish citizens, trapped in a mosque surrounded by gun toting police.

The statement condemned the ongoing brutal assault by the Egyptian military that is firing indiscriminately into crowds of protesting civilians. It noted that the violence by the military is reversing the optimism and gains of the revolution of January 2011 and is stoking sectarian tension amongst an ever increasing polarized Egyptian population.

The statement further noted that the military have opportunistically used the power of the people on the streets on 30 June to reassert its authority and take control back from the people.

Jim Roche, PRO of the IAWM said:

“The violent scenes being reported from Egypt are truly disturbing and harrowing and our solidarity and sympathy goes out to the victims. The violence must stop now. It is clear the military has intervened brutally against the Muslim Brotherhood in an entirely opportunistic way purely to protect its own economic interests in an abuse of the intentions of the millions of Egyptians who protested against the Morsi administration on 30 June this year. It is really trying to reassert its own corrupt power and dominance and deepen sectarian division. “

“The military is intrinsically linked to the old regime, controls at least 40% of the wealth in Egypt and has not got the interests of the Egyptian people at heart. It is being supported financially by the USA and by three despotic regional regimes that recently donated $12B. Why can’t such money be given to the poor of Egypt instead of to a military elite that is stoking sectarian strife and killing civilians on the streets?”

He continued:

“We also condemn the stoking of such sectarian strife by certain sections of the Muslim Brotherhood that has led to the torching of many Coptic Christian churches but we welcome the statement by one MB spokesperson for such actions to stop.”

He concluded by noting:

“There is another way that is neither pro-Military or pro the authocratism of the Muslim Brotherhood but one that is inclusive of all sections of Egyptian Society and respects basic human rights. But the violence of the military must stop first. That’s what our protest today at the Egyptian Embassy will be calling for.”

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