Ellison, calling protesters’ grievances ‘legitimate,’ urges Egypt to stop using violence
With violence escalating in Egypt, where protesters are taking to the street in opposition to government corruption, unemployment and poverty, Rep. Keith Ellison has released a statement urging Egyptian authorities to stop using force against its citizenry, which the Minnesota Democrat says have “legitimate grievances.”
Released Friday afternoon, the statement, cosigned by Reps. Jim McDermott (D-WA), and Jim McGovern (D-MA), reads:
We are deeply concerned with the Egyptian government’s use of security forces and violence against demonstrators throughout Egypt. Egyptians are on the streets to address legitimate grievances. Such heavy-handed response will only exacerbate the frustration of these protesters, many of whom are young people who are fed up with the lack of political freedoms, as well as poverty and the lack of other opportunities. We call on the Government of Egypt to stop using violence against its own people; allow the free flow of information over the Internet, phone networks and in the media; immediately release Mohamed ElBaradei and all others wrongly detained; and allow reforms toward a more democratic election process.
We fully support the Obama administration’s resolve to stand with the people of Egypt and we encourage the Obama administration to escalate its call for political and economic reforms in Egypt. U.S. Congress will carefully observe the situation in Egypt in the upcoming days, particularly in order to ensure that no U.S. assistance or equipment is used in the violent suppression of peaceful protests.
************************************
I really like my Rep Ellison, but he has failed to speak out against and condemn the Military Police State and Violence before and during the RNC in ST. Paul and Minneapolis in 2008. And He has also failed to Speak out and Condemn the FBI raids and Grand Juries happening now. The abuse is happening to his own Constituents. If you call his office they will tell you he has no comment.
Of course what is happening in Egypt and other countries in the middle east if far worse but we should be concerned about the abuse of our civil rights and the fact progressive Democrats aren't speaking out.
Ellison used to be a peace activists before a Representative.. how soon they forget.
video of peaceful 16 yr old being violently peppered sprayed.
http://rnc08report.org/archive/193.shtml***********************************
Watch the great Documentary " Terrorizing Dissent "
http://www.terrorizingdissent.org/ ****