Tahrir's bodyguards

Dec 08

Web Only

Tahrir's bodyguards

Egyptians use social media to organize ground campaign against sexual assault.

Photo by Zeinab Mohamed on Flickr (Creative Commons)

With the resurgence of Egypt's protests on November 22, some women have expressed aversion to participating, fearing mob assault as has occurred in previous demonstrations. On Friday, The Stream spoke with one of the founders of @TahrirBodyguard, a Twitter account that aims to protect women from attacks in the country's famed Tahrir Square.

Below is an excerpt of the interview:

View the story "Tahrir's bodyguards " on StorifyTahrir's bodyguards Egyptians use social media to organize ground campaign against sexual assault.Storified by The Stream · Fri, Dec 07 2012 14:45:15The Stream - Interview with Tahrir Bodyguard by danmingListen to The Stream - Interview with Tahrir Bodyguard by danming | Create, record and share the sounds you create anywhere to friends, f...Tahrir Bodyguard utilises Twitter to communicate and coordinate locations with protesters in the square. They then send volunteers to citizens who report attacks. Volunteer bodyguards wear bright vests and helmets, paid for by one founder's personal funds.If you sense that u'r in danger tomorrow,pls tweet us at anytime & we'll send someone to you.You'll find them wearing neon vests & a helmet.Tahrir BodyguardLadies in #Tahrir, please remember 2 things: 1 volunteers wearing امسك تحرش badges and the "safe tent" - Al Dostour's tent #TahrirBodyguardTahrir BodyguardUPDATE: A group of at least twenty #Tahrir Bodyguards will be joining the Rab3a Al 3adaweya march shortly. They will hold a sign.Join them!Tahrir BodyguardVia Twitter user @nohaghalyAJstreamAccording to Channel 4's Unreported World, some Egyptians suspect the attacks have been organised or financed by the Egyptian government. The government has denied any involvement.
The video below from blogging collective Mosireen, subtitled in English, describes the mob assaults:ميدان آمن للجميع- معاً ضد التحرش الجنسي I Tahrir: Safe zone for allmosireenTwitter users mention the account or use the hashtags #TahrirBodyguard and #endSH (for "end sexual harassment") to coalesce volunteers, reports of incidents, and resources for survivors of assault. Tweets often include the handles @OpAntiSH and @harassmap, two other anti-harassment campaigns in the country.New mob sexual assault hotspot in Tahrir by Mugamma metro exit starting 9pm, according to @TahrirBodyguard & @OpAntiSH. cc @harassmap #endSHGhazala IrshadMT: 3 mob sex attacks almost back to back last eve by Mugamma metro exit #Tahrir. Interventions by @TahrirBodyguard. via @ghazalairshadJustin D. MartinVia Twitter user @DaliaEzzat_AJstreamHotlines to report sexual harassment at #Tahrir square: 01157892357 - 01202390087 - 01016051145. (Cc: @TahrirBodyguard)S.@TahrirBodyguard guys we need groups in heliopolis, many people are afraid to go for harrassment reason.Remenkimi01227403578: Korba church ambulance. Retweet please. #الاتحادية #اتحادية #EgyptDjinnEgyptians have also spread praise, pictures, and call outs for support of the organisation on Twitter.When the Government Fails, and #Citizens take over #Egypt #powertothepeople #uprising @TahrirBodyguard http://gawker.com/5966368/attention-men-if-you-attack-a-woman-in-tahrir-square-you-might-get-your-ass-kicked-finallyKrystel Tabet Via Twitter user @ghazalairshadAJstreamseen in #tahrir: back to back against sexual harrassment, night watchmen #stopSH @tahrirbodyguard http://instagr.am/p/SqxTabm_YP/shadi rahimi@TahrirBodyguard #TahrirBodyguard #Tahrir they are doing a really good job, they are everywhere :) !Abdul-Rehman KatamshDon't just follow @TahrirBodyguard for women, volunteer too (men & women)! tahrir.bodyguard@gmail.com #Tahrir #Cairo #EgyptGhazala IrshadOmar Magdy, a volunteer with the Tahrir Bodyguard, tweets:Just handed over my shift @TahrirBodyguard! Excellent initiative and we prevented a lot of bad things at tahrir sq.Omar Magdy@Zeinobia collected this slideshow on Flickr of the November 30 protests, which prominently features Tahrir Bodyguard volunteers.Content from #Nov30 in TahrirKodak Agfa's #Nov30 in Tahrir setCurrently, all thirty bodyguards in Tahrir Square are male, with ten women coordinating logistics. Tahrir Bodyguard has expressed willingness to include volunteers regardless of gender.Via Twitter user @forumeditorAJstreamThe group considers their efforts to be part of a larger push for the safety of protesters in the Square.Via Twitter user @tekaldasAJstreamWe aim to be a collective movement & an umbrella to raise awareness & support other #EndSH & #Tahrir protection initiatives #TahrirBodyguardTahrir BodyguardPlease join @TahrirBodyguard or @OpAntiSH and ideally we will work together to #EndSH & secure #Tahrir #TahrirBodyguard. @harassmapTahrir BodyguardSo far, the campaign has been considered effective. On December 4, the account tweeted:Number of women in #Tahrir and the marches reported to be high. That is great news. We hope they stay safe.Tahrir BodyguardAdditionally, according to the group, reports of harassment in the square have dropped since Tuesday.The Stream initially covered Tahrir Bodyguard when they began their campaign in late November:Stream Leads 27/11/2012 - China reports satirical Kim Jong-un story, Tahrir bodyguards...AJstream