Today Americans celebrate Thanksgiving, in which most spend eating roasted turkey and visiting relatives. Its a day set aside to be thankful for all the good things in life. This year, I appreciate America's constitutional rights, as well as the clear separation of the three branches of government. Particularly the 4th Amendment that keeps us safe from unlawful search and seizure, requires probable cause, and for arrest warrants to come from judges. Not all countries provide their citizens these rights. For example, an incident took place yesterday in Egypt where phones buzzed all over the country with news that a violent protest was taking place in Giza, home of the Great Pyramids, in which around 300 christian Egyptians were fighting with the Security forces. It was then later confirmed that one protester died and more were injured. The protest was due to the governments decision to revoke a building permit for a church in Giza. Sources claim that the government said it has one too many staircases (there are two). According to eye witnesses hundreds of police had been waiting outside the church for several days intimidating the Christians who were going to the church to pray and work. Had the chance to speak with a man who showed me his wounds during the clashes with the police. After the order to halt construction, police forces began to arrest Christians in the area (157 in total) and reportedly spoiled thousands of dollars worth of concrete at the construction site. A 20 year old man named Malak was seen by his father being arrested and put inside a truck. Shortly after Malak used his mobile to tell his mom he was on the Cairo-Alexandria Highway. Malak's crime was being a christian who was in the wrong place, at the wrong time. A common crime in this police state whose constitution has been "suspended" for 28 years. To put this event in a broader context, Egypt elects its national parliament on Sunday, November 28th. Shortly after the arrest of political candidates said votes for them would get those arrested released quickly. An easy compromise considering Egyptian police beat, rape, and sometimes kill prisoners. It was clearly announced that Elections are to be free and fair. However, last week President Hosni Mubarak rebuked the US for suggesting that international election monitors observe Sunday's vote. So today I appreciate people's rights in the United States, where justice at least has a chance to prevail and where democracy puts power in the people's hands. Also I am for the system that gives people a chance to change the countries leadership should. That same power can be extended to help other people who suffer by calling your Congressional delegation and asking why we support Egypt's government. Should the US stop spending over a billion dollars a year on military aid for a country that lies to the US's face about democracy and human rights. Happy Thanksgiving and be safe.
