Press Release: Protest & Press Conference Outside Egyptian Consulate In Chicago 1/29/11

**** PRESS RELEASE **** - For Immediate Release and Distribution -

PROTEST & PRESS CONFERENCE OUTSIDE EGYPTIAN CONSULATE IN CHICAGO - TODAY -

Egyptian Americans Rally to Support the Democratic Aspirations of Egyptian Citizens

(CHICAGO, 1/29/11) - Hundreds of Egyptian-Americans and human rights activists will rally and hold a press conference today outside the Egyptian Consulate in Chicago to support the efforts of pro-democracy activists in Egypt.

WHAT: Pro-Democracy Rally for Egypt and Press Conference

WHEN: Saturday, January 29th, 2:00 P.M.

WHERE: Outside the Egyptian Consulate in Chicago, 500 N Michigan, Chicago, IL 60611

WHO: Egyptian American Society, Muslims United Against Oppression, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago), Mosque Foundation, International Solidarity Movement, Young Arab American Society, the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago (CIOGC), American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), Muslim American Society (MAS)

The Egyptian American Society (EAS) said in a statement Thursday, “For the Egyptian people, the time for change has come; in fact, it is long overdue. The spontaneous public eruptions which have taken place throughout Egypt within the last few days evidence the widespread popular discontent. The sense of 'enough is enough' which has for quite some time existed among some intellectuals, who have been part of the opposition, has seeped down to the disenfranchised popular base."

“We call on the United States to demand government reform and an end to the dictatorship in Egypt,” said Cherif Bassiouni, DePaul Law Professor and President of EAS. “It is time for Egypt to open a new chapter on democracy and freedom based on the rule of law and the equality of all citizens, irrespective of religion, creed, gender or other discriminating factors.”

Ahmed Rehab, EAS Secretary, has gone to Cairo to join the protests and document activities on his blog, www.mindfulofdreams.com.

Read his updates from the ground: Storming Cairo for Freedom: A First Hand Experience US Tacit Support for Mideast Autocrats reeks of short-sightedness, undermines US interests Understanding the Egyptian Uprising For Democracy, Report from the Ground: VIDEO-Egyptian Revolution Jan 25th 2011 – Take what’s Yours

“It is perplexing that in the ensuing confrontation between citizens longing for democracy and iron-fisted dictators clamping down on dissent in the Arab world, the US official policy is to side with the dictators,” said Rehab. “From the perspective of US interests, it is a severely misguided policy that could soon prove its short-sightedness.”

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CAIR-Chicago is a chapter of America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

CONTACT: Cherif Bassiouni, Egyptian American Society, President: 312-943-5797, cbassiou@depaul.edu Islam Eldewek, Egyptian American, 630-915-7587, eldewek@gmail.com Ahmed Rehab, Egyptian American Society, Secretary: 011-20-222-407-722, arehab@yahoo.com Amina Sharif, Communications Coordinator, CAIR-Chicago, 630-935-5562, E-Mail: asharif@cair.com