Local Event: Panel Discussion and Documentary Screening

Egypt: What Went Wrong?

Saturday, February 11, 2012
6:00-8:00 PM

Busboys & Poets
5th and K St, NW
Washington, DC 20001

On Saturday, the one year anniversary of Mubarak’s resignation, the Protests in DC for Egypt Jan 25 facebook group is presenting Egypt: What Went Wrong?!, a screening of the documentary Kazeboon (Liars) followed by a panel discussion featuring Middle East experts and Egyptian political activists.

But can you believe it has been a year? Remember clinging to the edge of your seat, furiously refreshing Al Jazeera as you waited for Hosni Mubarak to speak on Egyptian state television? It seemed like everyone–at least in this field, but surely in many others–was excited for what we anticipated as the culmination of the Egyptian prostests. Even those, like myself, who had never been to Egypt became temporarily obsessed with Mubarak finally stepping down. “The said it could never be done!” we laughed, referring to seminal political development texts and arguments we had seen rehashed over and over again.

International response was undeniably as enthusiastic. “Triumph,” declared Al Jazeera. The Dow and Nasdaq rose in response. In a dedicated press conference, Obama spoke out with cautious optimism, but optimism no less. “The people of Egypt have spoken, their voices have been heard, and Egypt will never be the same,” he said. “I’m sure there will be difficult days ahead, and many questions remain unanswered.  But I am confident that the people of Egypt can find the answers, and do so peacefully, constructively, and in the spirit of unity that has defined these last few weeks.  For Egyptians have made it clear that nothing less than genuine democracy will carry the day.”

One year later, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) has essentially continued Mubarak-style rule. There is the NGO crisis. And the seemingly uncountable documented human rights abuses. Now, more than ever, it is hard to reconcile our past feelings with the realities on the ground.