Austin G MacKell and the Egyptian Police
A friend of mine, Austin G MacKell, is an Australian journalist who has been detained in Egypt. In line with current anti-foreigner sentiments from Egyptian leaders, Austin was arrested on bogus charges that he was bribing protesters (He wasn't. He was interviewing them). Before the public prosecution office eventually accepted his version of events, Austin was moved around from prison to prison (to stop lawyers, activists and Embassy officials from gaining access to him) and treated like crap for several days. Thankfully he's out of detention now, but there is a travel ban so he's stuck in Egypt - and with his face splashed on Egyptian TV during his detention and hay made out of him being part of the unsubstantiated 'foreign threat,' it's not really safe for him there. Hopefully he'll be OK. This whole ugly incident has done nothing but strengthen his resolve. Rock on, Austin.
If you want to help him, please sign THIS PETITION. Please do it, I'll consider it a personal favour, anonymous tumblr subscribers :)
He has written a full account of his experiences. Check it out here. Also you can check out his blog, The Moon Under Water, here.
NOTE: I chose this picture to go with this post, because social media like Facebook and Twitter have been so incredibly helpful, both for Austin (it was through vigorous twittering that activists and lawyers eventually tracked down Austin and could help him!) and for all of us back in Australia who care about him (we kept up with the latest updates on him and shared info via social media!). The Arab Spring and twitter, like love and marriage.
LAST NOTE: Austin enjoys The Sopranos and The Wire. There. That makes this about pop culture :)
