( Photo Public Domain)
The owner of the Dostour newspaper Reza Edward threatened to break up a sit-in in front of the newspaper headquarters as the sit-in entered its seventh day. According to a press release from the Youth Front, Edward threatened to disperse protesters by force after appearing in the area with 17 bodyguards.
In response, the Youth Front declared solidarity with the protesters, who are demanding better wages and working conditions at the newspaper. According to Emad Hamdy, a member of the Dostour newspaper media committee participating in the sit-in, Edward appeared on Thursday with his bodyguards. Edward said these men were armed with “military-grade guns” and threatened to end the sit-in by force.
“We want our rights, and we want Mr Reda Edward to listen to us, but he does not listen,” Hamdy said, who at the time of writing was at a police station filing a complaint against Edward regarding the matter. “We want contracts for all employees and better salaries,” Hamdy added.
The Youth Front said in their statement that they reject all forms of intimidation and demand authorities intervene to defend the protesters. They announced their intention to participate in a “vigil of solidarity” on Thursday in front of the newspaper headquarters in Dokki, “showing full support for protesters and demanding freedom and dignity for all”.
