Liberty Square in Rochester

ROCHESTER, N.Y.--Organizers from the newly formed Rochester Friends of Egypt gathered February 9 in a display of solidarity with Egyptians occupying Tahrir Square in Cairo.

Choosing the Liberty Pole, a prominent downtown landmark, as their target, organizers hung a banner proclaiming the space "Liberty Square Rochester" in both English and Arabic. More than 30 activists had volunteered to help with the occupation--stopping by after work, on breaks, between classes--and despite the bitter cold, participants were able to maintain a lively, energetic occupation of the space for nearly six hours.

The Liberty Pole serves as a central hub for bus traffic in Rochester, and is just steps away from the city campus of Monroe Community College. Throughout the day, many high school and college students stopped to discuss the situation in Egypt and engage in the demonstration, eagerly waving signs, picketing and joining in on chants.

One young woman came upon the action as she left class, approached one of the organizers and asked "You guys support Egypt? Well, how about Palestine?" She left for her bus with a commitment to continue organizing for justice in the Middle East.

As school let out, large groups of junior high and high school students congregated around the bus stops and, after a couple of young men approached demonstrators asking if they could hold their signs, a dozen more joined in on the action.

Demonstrators chanted slogans such as "From the Suez to the sea, Egypt, Egypt will be free," "Hey, Mubarak, the whole world is watching," and "Now, now, now, not later--end support for all dictators." They carried signs that read "No Money for Dictators," "Fear Factor Broken by People Power," "America Needs a Dose of Egyptian Courage" and "We Stand With Egypt."

There was wide coverage of the event by a number of local media outlets, who taped interviews with a number of participants. As the organizers came together for a final rally, they agreed that they would meet again the following Wednesday for a repetition of the event, and continue to reoccupy Liberation Square Rochester until there is justice in Egypt.