AUC protesters tear down American flag on campus
Again, I find this incredibly disrespectful as an American. I don't go around tearing down Egyptian flags every time something happens to me in Egypt that I don't like. If I did, they wouldn't have any flags left, believe me! They say that the administration cannot treat Egyptians like dogs...tres dramatique...I guess they forgot that the school isn't just for them.
Student and worker protesters at the American University in Cairo (AUC) further escalated their demonstration on Thursday by taking down the American flag on campus, as they continue protesting the policies of the university administration and university President Lisa Anderson.
The Guardian newspaper described the protest as an extension of the education protest movements which started in Egypt this week.
The excitement and idiocy continues. Now, as the following article from Al Masry al Youm states, the protests on campus have gotten out of control. Apparently in addition to the ripped down American flag at the AMERICAN University in Cairo, rumor has it that our university President Dr. Lisa Anderson had water bottles thrown at her as she exited talks. Personally, I think this says a lot about the so-called elite of Egypt.
First, I think it shows plainly that this revolution is in trouble. If these rich sons and daughters of businessmen and politicians cannot contain themselves, how can a country of 80 million with a 40% illiteracy rate? Second, it has occurred to me that when we had a male as President of the University things didn't get so out of hand during strikes and sit-ins...personally I find this to be blatant discrimination and the way the protesters have been treating, speaking to and refusing to negotiate with Dr. Anderson is totally disrespectful. Thirdly, tearing down an American flag at an American institution? Why? Not only have they alienated the international students now, but they have also fragmented their own movement with this move.
AUC protesters tear down American flag on campus
Fri, 16/09/2011 - 16:53
The protesters issued a statement on Friday that harshly criticized the way the university has negotiated, and denied rumors that a protesting student had assaulted the university president.
The protesters have decided to continue their open-ended sit-in before they discuss further steps for escalation.
The students and workers tore down the American flag, which had been raised beside the Egyptian one, in protest against a campus security officer who allegedly assaulted Ahmed Ezzat, vice president of the university student union, following a protester meeting with Anderson.
The demonstrators demanded Anderson apologize for ignoring their demands or else leave the university, claiming that Anderson did not respect them. They said she described their meeting as "ridiculous," and told them she did not have time to listen to "such absurdities."
Student Khaled Zekry said protesters did not burn or rip the flag after taking it down, adding that Ahmed Alaa, president of student union, handed over the flag intact to the director of the services and facilities department.
The Guardian newspaper described the protest as an extension of the education protest movements which started in Egypt this week.
The newspaper also mentioned that the AUC students pay tuition fees eight times the average Egyptian annual income, adding that they belong to the country's elite and are raised to be its future economic and political leaders.
This reputation has begun to collapse since last Sunday, though, after the students began protesting the increased cost of university parking and directing criticism at the university administration, the newspaper added.
The Guardian quoted teacher Moataz Shawky as saying, "We cannot let [the administration] treat the Egyptians like dogs."
Shawky demanded that the university administration respond to the students, also accusing it of allowing snipers to shoot at Tahrir demonstrators from university buildings during the revolution.
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