Egypt

ՌԱՀՀԿ փորձագետների դպրոց Revolutionary Unrest in Egypt: Tactics & Strategy Richard Giragosian 1 February 2011

Revolutions & “People Power” • Not all cases of political action utilizing “people power” result in actual revolutions • Not all revolutions actually utilize “people power” for carrying out political action

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Egypt: Tactics & Strategy • Logistical planning, preparation & support • Provide for security, form unofficial, alternative security (“neighborhood watch”) • Expand base of support & extend outreach 3

Egypt: Tactics & Strategy • Confront & attack regime’s instruments of power, but only police, not Army • Target symbols of state power (ruling party headquarters, buildings, institutions, ministries, etc.) • Exploit and enhance sense of state collapse and helplessness

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Key Difference between Security Forces/Police and Army Decision to deploy the Egyptian regular army is also a “gamble,” as Army is smaller, less corrupt and less repressive, and perceived as a welcome counter to abuse by police and security forces Demonstrators initially cheer as Army troops deploy Army as target for appeal and seduction, not necessarily seen as “enemy” 5

Scale & Scope of Unrest

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The Media as the Medium Information is power, but powerful only when shared Al Jazeera & Al Arabiya: primary media sources for information, but also targeted by Hamas & Hezbollah in West Bank and Lebanon

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The Force of Facebook, the Tool of Twitter

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Internet & Cellphones Disrupted

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Demonstrators’ Handbook How to Protest Intelligently Important Information & Facts Please distribute through email, printing and photocopies ONLY! Twitter and Facebook are being monitored. Be careful not to let this fall into the hands of the police or state security.

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Demonstrators’ Handbook The Demands of the Egyptian People 1. The downfall of the regime of Hosni Mubarak and his ministers 2. The cessation of the Emergency Law 3. Freedom 4. Justice 5. The formation of a new, nonmilitary government with the interests of the Egyptian people at heart 6. The constructive administration of all of Egypt’s resources 11

Demonstrators’ Handbook The Strategic Goals of Civil Disobedience 1. To take over important government buildings 2. To attempt to win over members of the police and army to the side of the people 3. To protect our brothers and sisters in revolution

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Demonstrators’ Handbook Steps for Carrying Out the Plan 1.

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Assemble with your friends and neighbors in residential streets far away from the security forces Shout slogans in the name of Egypt and the people’s freedom; use positive slogans Encourage other residents to join us (use positive language) Go out into the major streets in very large groups in order to form the largest possible assembly Head toward important government buildings while shouting positive slogans- in order to take them over 13

Demonstrators’ Handbook Advise and Directions for Protecting Against Teargas Recommends the use of defensive weapons

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Demonstrators’ Handbook Shield & Spray Defending oneself against riot police

Hold Your Ground Egyptian! Block the truncheons with your shield and spray them in the face 15

Demonstrators’ Handbook Using Your Accessories Other uses for spray paint: on the windows of armored vehicles or surveillance cameras You can also stick a wet towel in the vehicle exhaust to disable it

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Demonstrators’ Handbook Some examples of effective & positive signs The Police and The People Stand Together against Oppression! Long Live Egypt!

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Demonstrators’ Handbook How to Publish & Disseminate this Information We ask you not to use Twitter or Facebook or other websites because they are all monitored by the Ministry of Interior Distribute by email or printing or photocopying, especially if you own an office or store Do not betray your fellow citizens and ensure that this will not fall into the hands of anyone who works for the police

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Demonstrators’ Handbook Now that you know, please pass it on!! Long Live Egypt!

Source of “Demonstrators’ Handbook”-- Atlantic magazine; www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2011/01/egyptian-activists-actionplan-translated/70388/ 19