Mubarak fears chaos

    Tens of thousands have been demonstrating in Tahrir Square, Cairo, in the “day of departure” today, with few reports of violence. Hosni Mubarak, despite mounting international pressure, has still refused to step down. He said in an ABC News interview that he’s “fed up,” that “if I resign today there will be chaos,” and that he’s afraid the Muslim Brotherhood will take over.

    What kind of chaos does he have in mind? Tens of thousands of people demonstrating in the streets for over a week, with no sign of stopping? Or perhaps something like what he unleashed on Cairo on Wednesday, when paid pro-Mubarak mobs descended on protesters with weapons?

    This is a claim dictators love to make, that they are the only ones maintaining order, and that without them, everything would fall apart. Actually, everything has fallen apart with you still in office, Mr. Mubarak, and it’s not going to stop until you leave. You’re the one creating the chaos. The thousands upon thousands of your people in the street against you today are behaving quite well in contrast.



    Recent Stories

    • Analysis

    Student encampments have the power to change minds — if they control the narrative


    May 9, 2024

    While media and universities try to delegitimize student encampments, there’s still a way they can shift public opinion to support an end to the genocide in Gaza.

    • Q&A

    NYC’s Riders Alliance has a vision for a better, safer subway with less policing

    May 7, 2024

    A grassroots group of MTA passengers and community leaders is organizing riders to support new community investments and push back against regressive public safety narratives.

    • Analysis

    Columbia students are sick at heart — just as we were in ‘68

    May 1, 2024

    An organizer of the 1968 Columbia University protests on why the message against war, then and now, is the same.