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Police ban pro-democracy rally in Egypt
Hokey Smokes Bullwinkle, first Lyiba swears off terrorism, and now this! whats the world coming to?Police have banned pro-democracy activists from staging a rally to demand political reform in Egypt, organizers and police said Monday, despite recent government promises to make the country more democratic. Hussein Abdel Razik, coordinator of the Committee for the Defense of Democracy, Wait, go read that again..... said the state security authorities notified him that police will not allow a march to President Hosni Mubarakâs office, where demonstrators had planned to deliver a petition calling for political reforms. The committee has started a nationwide campaign urging Mubarak to adopt reforms, like holding general presidential elections; abolishing emergency laws in place since 1981 that limit freedom of speech and assembly; and easing restrictions on forming political parties and publishing newspapers. Dâoh! Rally organizers said they will set another date for the protest, which was scheduled for Wednesday, and would challenge the government in court if such a rally is banned again. "This is unconstitutional and illegal," Razik told The Associated Press. Police officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the ban fell under Interior Ministry regulations limiting street protests but did not elaborate. Protests against the âevil western influence and zionistsâ go on unabated. The âDepartment of Ironyâ could not be reached for comment Razik said security officers told him the committee could send the petition, but not protest. Shredders on stun, Mr. Sulu. In a statement, the committee described the move as "a new human rights violation by a police state." hey - that's direct and to the point. It won't get picked up by the general media as its aimed at third world despots and not the US. Last month Mubarak promised a wide range political and economic reforms Please make it easier for me to identify you and have you arrested. His ruling National Democratic party lookie there Egbert!, they got one of them thar democrat parties too! also promised plans to make Egypt more democratic, though many Egyptians remained skeptical. Mubarak has been president and party leader since Anwar Sadat was assassinated in 1981. letâs see, in the same time its been reagan,reagan,bush,clinton,clinton and bush. Heres the "kicker" kids.... Pressure for reform has also mounted from abroad following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and especially after the U.S.-led war in Iraq that ousted Saddam Hussein. Sounds like its working to me! Posted by: Frank Martin 2003-10-20 |
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