(Photo from MIU Clashes Last Week)
(Photo courtesy of MIU Student Movement Facebook Page)
By Rita Metiyas
Various student groups plan to march in solidarity with Misr International University (MIU) students on Sunday.
Sunday’s march will include protesters from the British University in Egypt (BUE) Student Union, Ain Shams University Freedom movement, Liberal Students Association, the Al-Dostour student party, and students from the 6 April movement.
Mostafa Foad, Al-Dostour Party student member, said that “students from different universities will gather in front of Cairo University at 1 pm. Some of them will march to MIU, and some of them will go inside other universities to spread awareness and tell people about what has been happening and how the administration is acting against the students”.
The solidarity march will coincide with a protest by MIU students in front of the main MIU gate on Sunday at 11 pm.
They are calling for students from other universities, as well as representatives from student unions, to show support.
Bassem Salah, a student at MIU, said: “We will also hold a conference at the university to talk about all our demands and the things that have happened. The exact time is still undecided, but will be confirmed today.”
MIU students have been protesting for more than 10 days, demanding that the university build a pedestrian bridge across a highway where several students have been involved in road accidents.
The university administration refused to meet students’ demands, claiming that constructing such a bridge was the responsibility of the state.
The administration hired guards to disperse the protesters using rubber bullets, gas and rocks, which resulted in severe clashes and injuries. Students claim that the university has accused them of attacking campus buildings and property, and has suspended 16 students and expelled 6.
“One of the bodyguards came to the campus at 6 pm yesterday claiming that the university owes him money, and that it has tricked him into getting involved in clashes and getting beaten. He said if the university fails to pay him he will break it down,” Salah said.
The students previously organised a 15 day sit-in on the MIU campus, demanding the reinstatement of the expelled students and the creation of a pedestrian bridge and calling for their right to protest to be guaranteed.
Mohamed Talaat, a student who was beaten by guards during the clashes, said: “Tomorrow we will strike again in front of the main gate, and the event will be open. Anyone who wants to join us is welcome.”
