Socialist Worker: Conversation With An Egyptian Socialist

Members of the Revolutionary Socialists in Egypt endured years of police-state repression while organizing for democracy and labor rights. Because of these courageous efforts, the socialists were able to play a critical role in organizing the first demonstrations on January 25 that galvanized the successful uprising against dictator Hosni Mubarak. Their central place continued as the movement grew.

Sameh Naguib is a leading member of the Revolutionary Socialists. He talked to Mostafa Omar in Cairo about the dynamics of the Egyptian revolution and what lies ahead.


Egyptians celebrate the downfall of dictator Hosni Mubarak (Ahmed Al-Hilali)

THESE ARE incredible times for all revolutionaries in Egypt. But as January 25 approached, did you expect any of this to happen?

OF COURSE, we understood theoretically that the political situation has been volatile for a number of years, and that an outbreak of revolution was a possibility. But we had no idea it would happen on the 25th. The massive numbers of demonstrators who took part in the protests of that day and their militancy was unprecedented.

We were used to people putting out calls for mass days of action, only to have 100 or 200 people show up, and quickly get routed by the security forces. But on January 25, the numbers of protesters swelled in Cairo, Alexandria and city after city as the day went on.

Protesters successfully fended off one attack after another by police. They were throwing rocks at the police. People were coming out of their homes to join us. Women were ululating and throwing candy at us. By the end of the 25th, we realized that a revolutionary moment had begun.

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