Rebel(s) of the Week: April 6 Youth Movement

February 2nd, 2011

We’ve all seen this revolution happen right before our very eyes on the streets of Cairo as well as surrounding cities in Egypt. Protests have been organized by this grassroots movement  since April 6, 2008 by the April 6th Youth Movement…our Rebels of the Week. Media and sources identify the group’s inception from their first appearance on Facebook back in 2008.  The creator’s of the that now boasts over 88,000 members, have been prosecuted by the Egyptian government in the government’s attempt to silence the activists.

Today’s protests have been credited to this online movement and they are now being recognized as Rebels of the Week. No where else in the world are we seeing this kind of civil disobedience in such large numbers.

The protests began gaining national attention on January 25th where almost 40,000 citizens of Egypt took to the streets in Tahrir Square and other Egyptian cities to protest the current administration. Protestors stated that they were no longer going to be silenced by unjust laws like the Emergency Law, police brutality, economic conditions, foreign policies, and overall corruption in government.

Once the protests started, the government (under Hosni Murbarak, the Egyptian President who will now NOT be seeking reelection this Fall–according to the most recent news) shut down online and satellite communication, making it difficult for April 6′ers to organize. This didn’t stop the protestors. Many hackers attempted to further communication to allow the protests to be executed with the organization that was set forth before the government’s communication restrictions took place.

One video in particular of protestors on the 25th exposed the conviction of the protestors in Egypt. None of these members of the April 6th Youth Movement claim to be a part of a political party, but they are encouraging people to stand up for their civil liberties.

We applaud the efforts to stand up against oppression. I hope peaceful ways of protesting continues in Egypt.

“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.” – John F. Kennedy


About the Author: megan

Megan is the Marketing Manager for Silver Circle who spends endless amounts of time on making sure the word gets out about this film and graphic novel! As a liberty activist since '08 she also has gained a passion for advancing liberty in her personal life and helping others to do the same. Questions about getting involved with the film, events, liberty, and hip-hop can go straight to her!