Mahalla—statement

The Center for Socialist Studies in Egypt released this statement:

In light of recent events in Egypt 6 April 2008, the Center for Socialist Studies calls on supporters of freedom and justice everywhere in the world to show there support for victims of repression in Egypt.

Mount pressure on the Egyptian dictatorship to release more than 800 detained yesterday including; more than 150 political activists (socialists, liberals, and Islamists), more than 600 protestors from Mahalla (mainly women and children) and Mahala strike Committee leaders Kamal El-Faioumy and Tarek Amin.

They are facing serious allegations of agitation which can lead to long prison sentences.

On the background of a call for strike on 6 April in Mahalla textile complex by the workers, political forces decided to support the strike through parallel symbolic work stoppage and peaceful protests.

However, the Mubarak regime in retaliation decided to occupy El-Mahalla complex with security forces, abduct strike committee leaders Kamal El-Faioumy and Tarek Amin, arrest political activists of every political tendency in Cairo and other cities.

Not able to suppress the protests, the Mubarak security forces used rubber-bullets, tear-gas, and live ammunition against Mahalla people who decided to protest on the streets of the city and in villages, leaving at least two dead and hundreds injured.

As fighters in this struggle, the Center for Socialist Studies calls on all activists and supporters of freedom and justice everywhere in the world to support us in our fight.

The inspirational fight of the Egyptian working class over the past 18 months, which culminated in El-Mahlla events and the mass protests of Sunday—and the terrified reactions of the Mubarak regime— have proved our faith in the centrality of the working class to liberate Egypt from dictatorship and exploitation.

We call upon you circulate the news about the maximum repression and violence of the Mubarak regime, which left at least two killed in Mahalla, including a 9-year old boy.

We call upon you to organize rallies and protests in front of the Egyptian embassy where you live and to send protest messages and letters against the Mubarak regime.

Long live the struggle of the working class!