CAIRO: Surrounded by a field of state security and curious locals, Kefaya activists held a demonstration outside Sayeda Zeinab mosque, marking the 30th anniversary of the 1977 Bread Intifada, which erupted in protest of the exponential price increases of basic commodities, such as bread and vegetables.
Everything is expensive these days. People don’t find anything to eat. The government must lower the prices for us, Umm Mohammed, 60, told The Daily Star Egypt, comparing current conditions to 30 years ago.
The so-called Bread Intifada of 1977 erupted as a result of President Anwar Sadat’s decision to dramatically increase prices on commodity goods overnight.
As a result, a public outcry including mass demonstrations and strikes took place in and around Cairo, causing the government overturn its decision temporarily.
Armed with anti-government banners and holding up carrots and onions to illustrate the purpose of the protest, the protestors urged authorities to lower commodity prices while chanting anti-government slogans and calling for government transparency.
Commodity prices have constantly been rising the past 25 years ever since [President Hosni] Mubarak came to power. People need lower food prices and we chose to hold the demonstration today to mark the 30th anniversary of the 1977 Bread Intifada, Kareem Mohamed Rega, a Kefaya coordinator said.
In addition to the protestors, Thursday’s crowd featured a large number of journalists, reporters, bloggers, and human rights activists.
Wael Abbas, one of Egypt’s most well-known photojournalists, relaxed on the railing next to state security agents with a smile on his face.
It’s a good thing they hold these protests. We need it here, Abbas said.
However, some Kefaya activists hoped for a larger turnout at the demonstration.
No, I am not happy with today’s event. I thought a lot more people would show up for the protest, a disappointed female Kefaya member said.
Salam, a curious onlooker, argued that the real problem has its roots in small salary increases.
I actually don’t think the commodity prices are too high, but the government cannot continue to raise the prices without increasing people’s salaries as well. The system is unbalanced at the moment, Salam emphasized.
State security and police seemed mildly entertained at the event. Shaking their heads and turning away, security officers refused to comment on the demonstration.
