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Successful Nonviolence Strategies Employed in Egypt's 25 January Revolution
Abstract
The organization of the 25 January Movement was impressive, led by a coalition of groups which occupied Tahrir Square and succeeded in deposing Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. The nonviolence strategies and techniques used are documented and assessed in this paper. The participating groups did many things “right,” in terms of the body of praxis of nonviolence. They identified their goals clearly, posting them prominently in Tahrir Square. They built the cooperation of a broad spectrum of groups, from the Muslim Brotherhood, Christians, workers, farmers, youth groups, bloggers, and secularists. They involved both women and children as participants. They demonstrated samoud, or gentle persistence, not moving until their achieved their main aims. They were creative with slogans and symbols to build mass support for the Movement and were media savvy in getting out their message, especially in their use of new technologies. In addition, the 25 January Movement busted two common misconceptions about using nonviolence for making change: (1) the myth that a charismatic single leader is needed to inspire and lead such a movement; and (2) the myth that the use of nonviolence takes a long time. The paper’s author has extensive background in both the academic study of nonviolence, as well as practical nonviolence organizing experience in the Middle East.
Discipline
Media Arts
Geographic Area
Egypt
Sub Area
Peace Studies