 Photo left 11 February. Protesters swarm towards the TV station. An officer (top left) pleads to the crowd for patience as apparently does a protest leader (center). Photograph Copyright GayEgypt.com We will soon be posting a message forum for you to post your memories of your most moving or memorable moments from the Egyptian revolution. But in the meantime here are some recollections from those working with us. 1. Hearing the news of Mubarak's fall from power and then seeing grown men cry. OK well only two grown men during the next five minutes and ocassionally others later in the evening - but a highly emotional night. 2. Being told by a taxi driver that your regular driver had refused to pick you up from the airport because he thought both you and he would be killed if the car was stopped by pro-Mubarak militia and your identity and website role discovered. But then being told that his friend, knowing this, had volunteered to take you free of charge. 3. Beeing offered free bread by protesters who were already half starved and who wouldn't take "no" for an answer. 4. Seeing a handsome gay man you recognised taking a lead role in a protest crowd. 5. Having an onion thrown to you from a balcony with an encouraging "You'll be OK" when you are suffering from tear gas exposure. Well I hardly had any effects but I'm a bit of a wimp but it was great to get the woman's attention. But what was more moving was then on looking up again seeing how women and old men had come on to every balcony overlooking the streets around Talaat Harb to cheer on the protesters and help them should they need a quick place to hide or anything thrown down to them. 6. Being asked when under fire (I have no evidence but it certainly sounded like it and everyone kept diving for cover) and sheltering behind a tree - "So where do you come from ?" and then have another man say "So did you guys come to chat or protest ?" 7. Stupidly using flash on the camera at night while police were using live rounds. 8. Seeing a handsome youth with a serious head wound, not making any sound, being carried past you. Especially that I didn't see him and his two carriers until the last moment and unintentionally got in the way. I may never know whether he survived or even who he was. 9. A crowd panicking when they heard the noise of an approaching police van and everyone running and ducking form the anticipated live rounds. 10. Being singled out at an army check-point and being politely advised by an officer that you might have a problem with "national security" agents if you went in to Tahrir Square but that it was only a friendly warning and you could proceed if you wanted to. Why did it happen to me ? 11. While surrounded by police I met someone who told me they were studying human rights law. "Great," I replied "You can help me get through the police lines." Then as I walked through the police I remember looking back and to my suprise seeing him two hundred metres back up the street. He was obviously waiting to see what would happen to me before trying to get through himself ! 12. Well point number 11 is a little dubious. Perhaps what I'm going to say now can't be classified as just a moment even if it was definitely a moment in history. A moment of idealism, hope, dedication to the cause and unrepressible optimism. I found such a unity of purpose and comeradeship in Medan Tahrir despite people being from different religions, diverse places and every social background. I discovered a suprising discipline and determination. I observed such courage and fearlessness. I was thrilled by the idealism of the protesters. "We are all brothers - Christian and Muslim, poor and rich, Saidi and Cairene." Almost like an oasis of heaven on earth. A utopia. In some ways too good to be true ? Or is such cynicism our real enemy. Perhaps we can really build a rainbow coalition from people of all classes - even and including the lesbian and gay community. What was your most memorable moment ? A special forum will be posted soon. Please check again in a few days time. m |
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