So what are the obstacles faced by grassroots activists in the Middle East today? Nora Younis describes organizing a small conference called "The Street is Ours" for women beaten by Egyptian security forces during anti-Mubarak demonstrations. The conference itself seems interesting, but even more so Younis's account of trying to photocopying posters for the event:
Another challenge I personally faced was when I struggled between different Xerox centres to print the posters and the press kits. No one would print a paper asking to expel Habib el-Adly [General and Minister of the Interior]. "Do you think you are not being followed? Can't they know where did you print this?" The Xerox centre owner asked me in terror. "What you are doing will only harm you and people around you, but will change nothing,” he said. “He (el-Adly) deserves to be more than just expelled for what happened, but we can't do anything about it".
I argued why the streets in Cairo are soaked in pro-Mubarak posters and banners announcing that 70 million Egyptians say “Yes” to Mubarak whereas I can't print a poster against the minister of interior. "I am not a coward,” the Xerox shop owner replied. “Believe me, I want to help you but I also have kids to raise. Please don't come here again."
The guy was sincere; after all he did give me a discount and did print the posters. But he was shaking and avoiding eye contact with me, counting down the seconds I grab my papers and walk out.
Again, I thought, walking out of the Xerox shop with those posters could get me imprisoned, maybe tortured, with no specific charges as long as they release me within 15 days. Whereas if it was a “Yes for Mubarak” I may get a job in the National Council of Women...
Even in the most bustling cosmopolitan city in the Arab world, getting a few photocopies made for a protest becomes a difficult and daring act. The fear of the Xerox shop owner speaks volumes. Nora Younis's chutzpah is thus all the more inspiring.
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