I can't help but constantly follow the revolutions and unrest that are occurring in several of the Middle East and North African states. Political strife and a call for the end of monarchies that have lasted two, three or four decades have flooded international news as the snowball effect of democracy has taken to the streets of the Arab world. The people of Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen, Morocco and now Libya seek to strike down the monarchical rulers of the past and begin new with a government ruled by the people for the people. Plazas and streets act as theaters of uproar and protests that call for the seemingly delusional leaders to step down from their positions. After 18 days of staunch protests, Hosni Mubarak, the leader of Egypt handed the power over to the military after thirty years in office. Egyptians of all walks and classes showed up to support the oust of Mubarak, even a Google executive who made headlines as he went missing due to an arrest that resulted from protesting in Cairo's famous Tahrir square (coincidently "Liberation Square" in English). Libyans have not been so lucky as their staunch leader of forty-two years, Muammar Gaddafi, has responded with brute force and even bombed his own cities, his own people. This past week, Gaddafi ordered the bombing of a city that was the focal points of protests in a region of Libya. The two pilots of the plane that were responsible to carry out his orders opted to let the plane crash as they ejected from their seats. Libyan's are having a tougher time than their neighbors, the Egyptians, however daily protests continue. I believe these protests for democracy are an outstanding example of a person's need to express himself or herself politically. I hope each country in the region continues to fight for their liberties and revolutionize their governments. There is no other option but to be persistent.
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| Egypt's Tahrir Square on February 8th, 2011 |
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| Libyan Women Protesting |
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