November 23rd, 2011
Dearest Occupy Wall Street,
I have been an indirect part of OWS for almost two months. Certain issues keep me from physically going to the GA on a regular basis, so I thought I would place this letter into your hands to voice my opinion regarding sending OWS to Egypy. Last night a person who claimed to be largely involved with the idea of bringing OWS to Egypt in solidarity, brought up that they were concerned about the timing of this trip and asked the GA to cancel the trip until further notice. This person (man, woman?) stated that they had been in contact with several Egyptians, and that they had suggested that it was not a prudent nor safe idea at this time to send OWS reps to Egypt. The GA responded by arguing that #1. Egypt would be disappointed in our not coming. #2. That we need to show solidarity and #3. Questioned the validity of the Proposer him/her self.
Let me say what I came here to say. It is incredibly arrogant to assume that our brothers and sisters in Egypt will be “devastated” by our not showing up. They do not need us to continue their fight for freedom, and I believe, that although the Egyptian protesters who contacted the Proposer of last nights GA and asked him/her to postpone this trip, “do not represent ALL of Egypt”, ( a statement brought up at last night's GA) it is a point of view with people who are actually IN Egypt, and who have actually “suggested” our postponment. The 40 people at last night's GA felt the need NOT to change course because of the overwhelming proposal a few weeks back in favor OF going to Egypt, and voted down the Proposer's “proposal” of changing the date to a later one at last night's GA.
I am not exactly sure why people were doubtful of the Proposer, but they essencially were, and voted for OWS to continue to go to Egypt for the supposed “Election” process.
There is no guarantee that this “election” will take place on November 28th, given the situation as it stands now on Day 6 of fighting. Egypt is not America, where at worst (for the moment at least) we have had pepperspray and tear gas used against us, have been arrested, and have had property and the destroying of books to contend with.
It is Egypt, where there are very few human rights, where they use torture notoriously, where 3 American students have already been arrested for siding with the Protesters. These are not demonstrations. This is a civil war.
I think it is imprudent, risky, and ridiculous to keep using the argument that the Egyptian protesters will think that we are not for them, or spineless, or whatever word you want to come with, by not going on the day we stated that we would. It shows an arrogance regarding their fight. We have our own battles to fight and I know that the Egyptian protesters are a highly educated bunch, and will understand why we need to POSTPONE this trip to Egypt. This is my opinion regardless of the Proposer's vailidity or not. I think it is important to protect our focus, to show solidarity in other ways, and to listen to the voice of reason before embarking on a trip which most assuredly will have disastrous results.
Thank you for considering my point of view,
Ms. Garrett McConnell
crimsonboudoir @ twitter
crimsonboudoir@gmail.com
