WSU Hosts Rabaa_Detroit: Rally, Panel & Frozen Flash Mob

By Noor H. Salem

The Wayne State University MSA and Egyptian Student Association (ESA) came together this week to host an extraordinary tri-day event. In support of democracy in Egypt, the MSA and ESA found it essential in bringing this to the attention of others. What’s really happening in Egypt? Why are innocent civilians being killed? Why is no one doing anything about it?

Day 1 was a Rally for Rabaa around the Wayne State University campus on Monday, October 21st from 11:30AM until 1:00PM. Students from all over Michigan came to WSU and joined the rally. That included students from University of Michigan-Dearborn, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Michigan State University, Henry Ford Community College and Oakland University. The rally was expected to be a big event and the show up proved the prediction correct. It was only an introduction to the next event, held the very next day.

Students wore the black and yellow colors in support of Rabaa and made sure their signs, balloons, and banners all matched too. Students even road bikes together across the WSU campus apart of the protest. They did not forget to tie yellow balloons to their bikes to go an extra mile.

Day 2 was an indoor seminar and panel focusing on the theme: What is Rabaa Square?/Are You Ready to Make History?. It was the very next day- Tuesday, October 22nd from 3:00PM until 6:00PM in the Kresge Auditorium at WSU.  Many Wayne State University and non- Wayne State University students came to the panel, but not as many as the rally outdoor. The panel welcomed all students on campus or not- both those who were unaware of the current situation in Egypt and those who were aware but were seeking more information. Three speakers took turns and explained what Rabaa is and how it started. They informed the students how the events in Egypt are affecting us as American citizens today. 

Day 3 of the event was supposed to be on Saturday October 26th from 11:00AM until 4:00PM in the Keast Commons at WSU. However, due to several circumstances, this was changed. This third event brought was going to be a way of bringing the experience of Rabaa to Detroit. They were planning on having demonstrations, marches, sit-ins, exhibits, Rabaa music and poetry, speeches, and games.

The Day 3 event became a Freeze Flash Mob held on Tuesday, October 29th from 11:00AM until 1:00PM at the Fountain Court of Wayne State University. The flash mob had protestors demonstrate factual scenes of what happened in Rabaa Square in Cairo, Egypt. It was a successful yet heart trembling event.

Thumbs up to the Wayne State University MSA and ESA for putting together such a beneficial, extraordinary, and essential event.

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