We as rank-and file members of this organisation feel that it is necessary to comment on the referendum even if our secretary general has decided that we should not. We understand his policy is not to give credibility to the referendum because it is a mockery of parliamentary democracy and that whether you vote yes or no, the result will be the same. The old regime is using this as a legitimation of their power. It will help them to cling on to it and say it was democratically sanctioned. What Egypt needs is a new constitution, not a constitution with a "restored virgnity" (as girls and women we say that those who made this comment are spitting in our face, demonstrating to everyone who they are and what they really think).
Having said that, many of us believe that a no-vote is the stronger way of showing disagreement. Because of this, we supported the no-vote. With all this, we believe strongly that the old regime and the old constitution must go. And we want to say this too: that it is a disturbing thing how everyone in Egypt is discussing elections and referendums while the army has turned the National Museum into a torture chamber, as if that was perfectly normal. People, it is not! They are conducting virginity tests on girls protesting! How can anyone allow this disgrace to happen??????!!!!! Virginity tests here and patronising machoist virginity talk there too, from the army and from those in parliament. Are you not seeing that they are all saying and doing the same thing?
Why do we pretend the revolution is in control and the democratic process is on the way when the only one in control is the army? That does not help. And why? Because they have no intention to let Egypt go democratic. There are some evidences to suggest that they are even supplying arms to Gadaffi. That is tell-tale enough to show us what to expect.
Excuse me to say but it appears the revolution is being conned and sure, it is not going far enough.
You must excuse that our resources are limited. Sakina, for instance, is a seamstress and I am a bead maker.
We are not politicians. Our mothers were illiterate but we are learning. We do what we can.
We are in this organisation because we believe that we must stand up for ourselves. We, the people, must fight for our rights. We must not be afraid. Even if it is very difficult, we must never give up.
When we were children APIC was more powerful because its leaders were professional politicians. They all had degrees and connections. But they betrayed us, so our mothers and elder brothers and sisters asked our secretary-general to expell them. He took our side and helped us to do that. This is why we have some problems today. But better to be weaker and fight for the people than to be mighty and oppress them.
They have done everything to silence us but now we can speak again and we are glad. We want to promise today that we will overcome the obstacles. We will learn and we will become stronger every day.
Thank you, all those who helped us to believe in ourselves.
We are so sad about the suffering of the people in Yemen. We want them to know we love them and we believe in the revolution. We are feeling like this for Libya, for Bahrain, for Palestine, for Algeria, for all people who are fighting for their rights today, in Egypt, in Saudi Arabia, everywhere.
People, help yourselves to become free and empowered by the revolution. If you feel like us, build your local branch of APIC-APICONG and let us join hands. We shall overcome. We shall win.
As-Salamu alaikum,
Fatima and Sakina
(APIC[APICONG])
Having said that, many of us believe that a no-vote is the stronger way of showing disagreement. Because of this, we supported the no-vote. With all this, we believe strongly that the old regime and the old constitution must go. And we want to say this too: that it is a disturbing thing how everyone in Egypt is discussing elections and referendums while the army has turned the National Museum into a torture chamber, as if that was perfectly normal. People, it is not! They are conducting virginity tests on girls protesting! How can anyone allow this disgrace to happen??????!!!!! Virginity tests here and patronising machoist virginity talk there too, from the army and from those in parliament. Are you not seeing that they are all saying and doing the same thing?
Why do we pretend the revolution is in control and the democratic process is on the way when the only one in control is the army? That does not help. And why? Because they have no intention to let Egypt go democratic. There are some evidences to suggest that they are even supplying arms to Gadaffi. That is tell-tale enough to show us what to expect.
Excuse me to say but it appears the revolution is being conned and sure, it is not going far enough.
You must excuse that our resources are limited. Sakina, for instance, is a seamstress and I am a bead maker.
We are not politicians. Our mothers were illiterate but we are learning. We do what we can.
We are in this organisation because we believe that we must stand up for ourselves. We, the people, must fight for our rights. We must not be afraid. Even if it is very difficult, we must never give up.
When we were children APIC was more powerful because its leaders were professional politicians. They all had degrees and connections. But they betrayed us, so our mothers and elder brothers and sisters asked our secretary-general to expell them. He took our side and helped us to do that. This is why we have some problems today. But better to be weaker and fight for the people than to be mighty and oppress them.
They have done everything to silence us but now we can speak again and we are glad. We want to promise today that we will overcome the obstacles. We will learn and we will become stronger every day.
Thank you, all those who helped us to believe in ourselves.
We are so sad about the suffering of the people in Yemen. We want them to know we love them and we believe in the revolution. We are feeling like this for Libya, for Bahrain, for Palestine, for Algeria, for all people who are fighting for their rights today, in Egypt, in Saudi Arabia, everywhere.
People, help yourselves to become free and empowered by the revolution. If you feel like us, build your local branch of APIC-APICONG and let us join hands. We shall overcome. We shall win.
As-Salamu alaikum,
Fatima and Sakina
(APIC[APICONG])
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