The Square Reflection- Sophia
In class we have been watching a movie called The Square. Since we recently discussed what has been going on in the Ukraine we thought it would be appropriate to learn about the Egyptian revolution. Before watching this I really did not know anything that had gone on, or really anything about Egypt. The documentary is focused on the protests that went on in the Tharir Square. There are mainly three men featured in the film: Magdy, Ahmed, and Ramy.
The revolution started in 2011 when Mubarak stepped down 18 days after extreme protesting. This was celebrated on February 11 and there was a new hope. However, the problem then was that there were three groups that were fighting for power. The military, who wanted to keep things the way they were, The Muslim Brotherhood, who wanted the government to be directed by religion, and the people who wanted a real democratic election. There were still protesting going on in the Square that became extremely violent. The military hired “thugs” to come in. People were run over by cars and beaten. Even when they were taken to the hospital, nerve gas was thrown into waiting rooms that even killed doctors.
Elections were held and the Muslim Brotherhood wins by electing Mohammed Morsi. Only months after being sworn in, he gives himself more power and shows signs of a dictatorship. The people of Egypt returned to Tharir Sqaure to protest. The acts were even bigger than before. Millions of Egyptians gathered in the streets a year from when he was elected, telling him to step down. The military removes him from office and put him under house arrest.
Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Egypt’s army chief and defense minister, placed Adly Mansour, the supreme court chief justice, as the interim president. He chose a cabinet that included no Islamists. Protests are still going on and the military has recently broken up some from the Muslim Brotherhood, killing at least 600 people. After this, Mansour announced an martial law that imposed a curfew, similar to the one that was placed under Mubarak. Mubarak was put in prison, but then released because the Egyptian court ruled that he can no longer be incarcerated. However he is still on house arrest and faces chargers of complicity in the killing of more than 850 protesters. Soon after, Morsi was charged with “inciting killing.” Now a campaign has started to encourage Sisi to run for president. This will probably keep the cycle going and protesting will begin. Ultimately it is the people’s decision if Sisi will have power.
