CAIRO: Anyone who has been to Tahrir over the past 6 days would probably agree that when they came out they felt they had entered a parallel universe. As you approach the Kasr el Nil Bridge, life is functioning almost too normally, couples strolling on the bridge, feluccas passing below blasting music, friends posing for pictures. Literally across Tahrir Square in Mohamed Mahmoud St. a couple of days ago sounds of bullets and screaming echoed as the CSF battle unarmed civilians. The contrast is puzzling and raises a lot of questions. Ultimately however, do enough people in Egypt realize the severity of the crimes against humanity that occurred and are still occurring against protesters throughout the country? And consequently do they realize the danger of SCAF remaining in power? Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi came out in his first speech on November 22 and stated the council would be more than ready to give up their power if a referendum is carried out and shows this is the will of the majority of Egyptians. All hell broke loose in Tahrir and his speech spurred all sorts of reactions on Twitter, claiming the referendum is a tactic Tantawi is using to create more divisions amongst Egyptians. Several critics of this view asked isn't this the democracy you've been fighting blood and tears for? The way I see it, that question put in the context of what is happening, is like asking Libyans do you want Muammar Gaddafi to rule or not? It's like being given a choice between oppression and freedom. I think a lot of us have realized that although Tahrir has been able to mobilize about two “million man” protests in a week and the uprisings have extended to Alexandria and Ismailia, the truth is we are a minority. Outside the Tahrir bubble, unfortunately, having spoken to several friends, cab drivers and people we encounter on a daily basis, some are either highly misinformed as a result of following state media, a few are worried about the impact this has on the economy and others generally don't seem very concerned with the whole matter. One of the many reasons for this is the case could be just simply that there is a prominent lack of awareness, or interest, on what is going on on the political front. However, what happened those few days in Mohamed Mahmoud St. needed no political analyst. All that was required was your human instincts and senses to be able to judge that something immensely wrong was going on when the CSF, who citizens entrust with their security, were harming their own people. Let us assume that those who are living comfortable financially, would vote for SCAF to remain in power in order to attain the economic stability they are seeking and satisfy their hunger for profitable businesses. Let us shift our focus on those who are suffer poverty, illiteracy and haven't known or experienced life any differently. How can a referendum like the one Tantawi suggested be considered democratic, when the only reason those people would vote would be either because they think everyone in Tahrir are spies or because they mistakenly believe that the CSF and the army are securing the nation? It's saddening that many Egyptians are satisfied with so little and let their rights and dignity be trampled on so easily. As long as they have a place to sleep and manage to get food on the dinner table at the end of the day they are thankful. Their vote for SCAF remaining in power would be mostly because they don't know any better. It is those people who the revolution was created for and those people are the ones whom we should work with to gain their support. That's why beyond the vicinity of Tahrir, there is lot of room for contribution. The revolution is not limited to showing up at the square or risking your life in Mohamed Mahmoud St. or even delivering supplies. It is also conversing with people who aren't aware of the violence that occurred, or the demands. Everyone has a part to play regardless of your ability to withstand tear gas or bullets – participation goes beyond that. Present people with evidence of police brutality using the videos and pictures that have flooded the Internet and describe the vision. If we don't push the boundaries past protesting in Tahrir, Ismailia and Alexandria then we will have reached a stalemate in this war for dignity and freedom. ** Nada Ismail is a university student in Cairo. She can be found on Twitter: @nada_Ismail BM
