Egyptian protests at York University

Yuni Kim
News Editor
Close to 40 students braved the biting cold, raising chants for democracy in Egypt and calling for President Hosni Mubarak to step down from his 30-year regime immediately.  The rally, prepared by the Middle Eastern Student Association (MESA), took over a week to organize. The members of MESA and their supporters followed the lead of vice-president Mohamad Hneinou, who led the group from York Lanes to Vari Hall to the
Accolade East Building.

egyptian protests ? Close to 40 students braved the biting cold, raising chants for democracy in Egypt and calling for President Hosni Mubarak to step down from his 30-year regime immediately.  The rally, prepared by the Middle Eastern Student Association (MESA), took over a week to organize. The members of MESA and their supporters followed the lead of vice-president Mohamad Hneinou, who led the group from York Lanes to Vari Hall to the
Accolade East Building.
“We’re holding a rally to support the people in Egypt,” said participant Yomna Salem, who said she has family and friends involved in the ongoing protests against Mubarak. “We are showing them we care about human rights, too. Everyone in the world should be free to enjoy human rights as well […] the Egyptians have to fight for this.”
York Federation of Students (YFS) executives Darshika Selvasivam, vice-president campaigns and advocacy, and Vanessa Hunt, vice-president campus life, were also seen at the rally in support of the cause.
“The rally was organized to show support for those fighting for democracy,” said MESA president Shawn Rizvi, who ran to catch up to the front of the line as the group headed toward Vari Hall. “We have a duty to support them.”
The group continued their chants of “Egyptians united will never be defeated!” and “One, two, three, four, get Mubarak out the door!” as they circled past the Student Centre for the second time.

All photos by pippin lee