(Feb. 4, 2011) Khaled Beydoun, LLM 2008, is an Egyptian-American who recently returned from Cairo, where he was caught up in the first day of anti-government protests on January 25, 2011. Since then, Beydoun has been writing about the crisis in his homeland, and launched the “Free Egypt Now” advocacy group. Nexus editor, Lucianna Ciccocioppo, spoke to Beydoun. She reached him in Washington, DC, where he resides. Below is an abridged version. Listen to the full interview in this audio file.
LC: When you first saw the protests in Tunisia, where were you, and what were you thinking?
KB: I was initially visiting family in Lebanon, and since I was in the region, I decided to visit family in Cairo. I’m half Lebanese, and half Egyptian. I was born in Cairo, spent my childhood in Egypt and still have a broad network of family and friends in Cairo and throughout Egypt. When [the protests in] Tunisia was unfolding, it was really heartening for people in the region. It was very empowering to see democracy— at least the roots of democracy—take off in Tunisia. I never anticipated it would spread in Egypt, knowing the country, the mood on the ground, knowing the culture of fear that really suppresses people. So I went to Egypt not knowing anything like that would happen, even though there was some rumbling on the Internet, such as youth organizing via Facebook and Twitter… So I went, and couple of days after I was there, the big rally on January 25th was happening. I was walking with a cousin of mine on our way to participate. And actually I got a phone call from my mother to come back, because she was feeling ill. And that prevented me from participating, and things really took off after that point.
LC: What was your first reaction when the protests started in Egypt?
KB: I was very excited. I thought: “Wow, this is happening, and I’m here.” There was this wave of emotions. I felt an immediate desire to be a part of it. It felt magical, like maybe I was meant to be there, and I’m not a religious person, but that’s the way it felt, and I wanted to be part of what was going on.
LC: Were you scared?
KB: Not at all. I tend to be one of those people who doesn’t really fear much. Maybe I don’t let fear set in, and I move with the excitement of what’s going on.
LC: In your own words, why are your fellow Egyptians protesting?
KB: This is a country that has been ruled under the thumb of a dictator for three decades. It’s a place with an abhorrent human rights record, a place where people have virtually no freedom of speech, no freedom of organizing or association. The concept of civil liberties and civil rights is virtually non-existent. It’s a country essentially under martial law, with police on almost every major intersection of the city. It’s a country that’s predominantly poor; essentially people are living on roughly US$80 a month. So I think it’s a reaction of poverty, economic marginalization, and political disenfranchisement, and I think once you combine all these, it spurs what we’re seeing now on television.
LC: Can you describe their emotions? What were you seeing when you were walking with your cousin on Jan. 25th, the first day of protests?
KB: It was almost like he was a different person. It was the first time people that I knew could speak freely, and say what was on their mind, and have a modicum of free speech. So he was energized. I felt that he was empowered and that was really good to see.
LC: I understand you’ve been writing about your experiences. Can you tell me a bit more about this?
KB: I’ve been writing formally and writing a lot poetry. It’s been a transformative experience for me, on many levels, as an Egyptian–American and as a lawyer. I’ve tried to use whatever skill sets I have to be part of the movement even though I’m far away. So I’ve been writing and focusing more on advocacy work, here in Washington, DC. I’ve launched “Free Egypt Now” and am working with different collectives across the country to raise awareness and build a network and presence in the country.
LC: What do you think the rest of the world should be doing?
KB: I think people should engage in this issue in the way that’s best for them. We’re diverse, and we have a diversity of skills and talents. I happen to be a lawyer, writer and advocate, so that’s the best way I can lend a hand to what’s going on. Someone who’s an artist can manifest support in artistic means. I think it’s important for people not only to build that consciousness, but leverage that consciousness to help people who really need their help.
LC: Is the Egyptian crisis the tipping point for the rest of the Arab world?
KB: Well it’s the biggest country in the region, by far, with 80 million people. In my opinion, it’s definitely the most critical country in the region for many reasons. Obviously, U.S. interests in safeguarding Israel’s stability makes Egypt that much more important. I think Tunisia set people’s confidence in flight, and they thought they could achieve those same kinds of results domestically. Now we’re seeing rumblings in Yemen, we’re seeing rumblings even in Jordan. Maybe Egypt is not the tipping point, but I think Egypt has very much accelerated what Tunisian protests started.
LC: What’s the ideal solution, what would you like to see?
KB: The ideal solution is to install a real democracy where the diverse people of Egypt have the ability to have elections that are not rigged nor skewed by one political party, as it’s been for a long time. We need a real constitution, with limited terms for leaders, similar to U.S. or Canadian political systems, with a range of political parties which have influence. We need the ability for people to determine Egypt’s future without international meddling.
