Why It Takes Organized Resistance To Bring in the Sweeping Change That the Public Wants

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http://www.alternet.org/activism/organized-resistance-brings-sweeping-change-lessons-us

It has been an incredible week of protest leading to change. The power of the people has been on display and there are lots of lessons we can learn from how the people have wielded that power.

The big story of the week was Egypt. Protests organized by Tamarod (Rebel) that have been building for months, resulted in the biggest protest in Egypt’s history, four days of mass protest beginning on June 30 that ended the rule of President Mohamed Morsi. More than a week ago, Tamarod recommended that the head of the Egyptian Constitutional Court become the interim president and that is what was announced by the Egyptian military. The military made the announcement after lengthy meetings with religious groups, including minority religions; opposing political parties, including a Muslim party; and civil society including Tamarod. All of these groups spoke at the press conference announcing the transition. The theme that threaded itself through the comments was that all factions in Egypt, including the Muslim Brotherhood, should be included, and that the revolution which began in January 2011 was beginning anew.

While people cheered the military facilitating the transition, they are well aware of the risk of military rule and already are opposing it. Signs could be seen that opposed the military being in charge along with protesting the rule of Morsi. People remember the harsh military rule that occurred after the fall of Mubarak, but also remember – and remind the military – that the people went into the streets and forced the military to hold elections. Already, there is a site with a countdown and checklist from the transition government to an elected government. A lot remains to unfold but so far the military does not seem to be dominating the transition. The whole world is watching – especially the tens of millions of Egyptians who helped to end the rule of Morsi. Many commentators are making the point that if the military is going to have any legitimacy it needs the support of the people.

An interesting note from Egypt is that in the January 2011 revolt, Egypt followed Tunisia into the Arab Spring. This time, we may see Tunisia follow Egypt in challenging religious rule as Tamarod has now been organized in Tunisia and is following a similar tactical path as was followed in Egypt.