Emails about solidarity gifts sent to Cairo
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January 4, 2012
Dear Max,
Happy new year for you and for people who are fighting for freedom everywhere in the world, It was a very unique year, hopefully in 2012 we would be able to build on it and achieve more and go forward in our straggle against dictatorship in its all forms.
The main good news of 2012 is (I got the box) . ************ just phoned me few mint. ago confirming that he got it and will deliver it to me at night.
So YES, your precious gifts arrived and well received, I will have a meeting with some activists to discuss the possible ways to distribute the gifts, I will make sure that some journalists who are also activities will be included and I will try to consider gender factor and also people from different religious and will send at least one to activist out of Cairo, I will also wait to hear from Ahmed who might have some ideas as well ,one of activist volunteered to take some photos for people who will receive the gifts to send it to you and to document this outstanding initiative.
Many, many thanks for your dedication and for your big heart that include protesters from the whole world, thanks to each one spent time and effort to support this solidarity box, thanks to people who remember others over seas. Many thanks to Chris who put me in contact with you.
Happy new year, may all your dream / our dreams come true,
Gihan
Happy New Year!
The mothers in Fukushima who marched to Tokyo Electric where a huge occupation has taken place received their box the day they were heading off to an end-of-year protest at TEPCO (Tokyo Electric) and wore the hats and scarves and neck cowls at the protest!
We look forward to your receiving our solidarity gifts.
Max
December 20, 2011
Dear Ahmed,
This is Gihan, Crystal's friend, I'm sorry for my late reply, I was in Spain which was for my surprise poor connected to the Internet, I'm writing now from Tunisia ,people are talking about similar situation as in Egypt but with less media focus. So we are not alone in post revolution however their army is just a baby compare to SCAF.
Best Regards,
Gihan
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| Box of warm things bound for Cairo |
December 14, 2011
Dear Ahmed,
Crystal's friend, Gihan, has arranged for the box to be received. It is packed full of many hats, some scarves, and a lot of love for all of you. Of course, I hope you and Gihan will be in touch to make sure you have the chance to choose something out of the things knitted for protestors in Cairo. I hope, too, that you might find a way to publicize this act of solidarity for it is just that, a reaching out across borders and oceans to remember we all are part of a beautiful web of care. We hope our little box of lovely things will bring a light of hope and inspiration to you all as you have suffered so much tragedy while rising up in dignity to show the strength of the millions. It inspired our masses to rise up as well.
I wish we could knit something for every last person who has stepped out into the open to protest. I would like us to reach out to people in Syria, also. Do you, or do you, Gihan, know anyone in Syria who would be a person who could receive such a box? It will take us more time to knit enough to be able to send to Syria after Canada and somewhere else in the U.S., but I have reaching out to friends in Syria a goal, also.
The boxes for you, and for Occupy Wall Street in New York, and the Fukushima mothers and families who marched to the Tokyo utility company to occupy, are expected to go into the mail this week. Hopefully within a couple weeks you shall receive them.
In solidarity,
Max
December 10, 2011
My Dearest Friends,
Thanks to your friends -or perhaps I should say our friends- from the OB. We are honored for their warm thoughts and support
I'm afraid though things arent improving in Egypt at all. The military are getting more and more brutal and more and more friends and comrades die or lose their eyes or other types of dangerous injuries. We werent expose to CS only, although we had an abundance of that. We had also CR, CN, VX, depleted Uranium, and canisters with 12% phosphorous. Also, they pumped Tabun gas into the square twice using the ventilation system of the metro in reverse.
The problem is, they used, as it seems, some less concentrated versions of the deadly agents, resulting some deaths, but not for everyone, we suffer a bunch of other symptoms such as respiratory trouble and digestive problems. There are worse cases also, someone died on Dec 6th after lot of suffering with the nerve gas. The US doesn't want to recognize reports about the use of those forbidden chemicals against civilians which is odd to say the least. We have not only reports and dead bodies, but even testimonies from defected officers who gave details on what they were ordered to use. They were abducted lated and are facing military trials that would put them for years in prison.
I'm writing my home address if they wish to send us their supportive gifts ***********
Apologies for not responding earlier, there is so much to say and I'm too busy most of the time, and never too enthusiastic about writing. But we are totally in debt to you for all the support you, and all friends had given us during this hard time.
That's all for now
Best regards and love for all
Ahmed
December 4, 2011
Dear Max,
Wow. This is truly inspiring. I am so proud of the citizens of this world who are finally waking up and realizing their dreams. May it always be so. And may we always be united.
Gihan
December 5, 2011
Dear Gihan,
I am so happy that we can connect our web between the U.S. and Egypt, from activist to activist, from person to person.
Tonight, at our General Assembly, I shall read your letter to those present. The gifts people are making truly are from the heart. We received a lovely sack full of hats and some scarves yesterday from someone who had been knitting all week to share with friends she may never meet, while a group of us knitted and crocheted away on hats and scarves we will be sending. I stopped at our home today to find another box with 5 more hats and 2 scarves from three people who have not been at Occupy Berkeley but wanted to join in this solidarity action.
We are inspired!
Until later, and in solidarity,
Max
December 4, 2011
Dear Maxina,
I have no words to express my deep appreciation and respect for your amazing initiative. When I first got Crystal's mail, I just cried; I remember people who lost their eyes, their legs, or their lives, what a wonderful support they would get from your lovely gifts.
I'm thinking to distribute them to:
-Journalists, at least 2 or 3.
-Some of the injured youth, particularly the dentist who lost his eyes.
-To young students who will wear them in universities and talk about it.
Finally, I will write in my 2-weekly column about such a great project and the honest meaning of solidarity.
Of course, the no. of pieces will be the main factor in distributing them, but I will try very hard to send them to the right people. I'm not sure if we can mention it on TV, but I will send it also to my friend who has a weekly column in the Guardian in Britain. I wish the best to the American protesters who are sleeping in very cold weather; I wish the best for each person saying NO against oppression.
I would suggest sending your gifts to the below address ********* they always receives things without any problem, while I may find some problem in getting such a package ,we are still in military system.
I will send you some pictures of Egyptians wearing your solidarity gifts Many many thanks from me and from the liberal movement in Egypt that support and send positive energy to our brothers and sisters in the protest in the Occupy movement.
Love from Tahrir squire to and to the family,
Gihan