Who is Alaa?
Alaa Abd El-Fattah, a British-Egyptian activist, blogger, and software developer who has been imprisoned in Egypt to silence his activism, faces grave danger unless the UK Foreign Office intervenes immediately to protect him. Alaa has been on 200+ days of hunger strike in protest of the atrocities of his confinement. His health is deteriorating rapidly and significantly.
On October 31, Alaa informed his family that he will stop consuming 100 calories and go on a full-fledged hunger strike beginning tomorrow. Alaa will also go on a water strike on November 6th, prior to the start of #COP27.
Alaa’s family have started an open-ended sit-in in front of the FCDO in Westminster. We ask you to join us in expressing our unconditional support and demand his release with his family on Thursday. We will meet there at 11 am.
Alaa Abdel fattah’s writing and commitment to progressive politics have shaped revolutionary rhetorics that have helped orient the Arab revolts and political movements globally. Alaa is among the first to utilise tech against oppressive and unjust governments. He was constantly working to connect technologists throughout the region. The Egyptian government's imprisonment of Alaa is an attempt to silence a dissenting voice and discourage those who are inspired by him.
Alaa has been in prison for most of the past 8 years. Alaa obtained British citizenship in 2021. But the government is yet to do any concrete or solid actions to demand his release.
As students in the UK, we are all aware of the various ways in which radical writers and thinkers from around the world have influenced our politics, regardless of the field we study. "You Have Not Yet Been Defeated" by Alaa embodies the revolutionary spirit to which we must all cling in times of crisis. Ahead of the living crisis and all that it entails for students, it is critical that we reroot our movement in revolutionary politics, where we can be inspired by people who have led revolutions without fear. What does it say about us if we let UK authorities lock up a revolutionary thinker while we stood by and watched?
Join us. Demand Alaa’s release now.
Now more than ever, solidarity beyond borders is at the heart of building a new world.
What can I do?
1. Join us in our banner making session this Wednesday, where we will also read snippets of Alaa’s work. (SU Venue, 5 pm)
2. Join us on Thursday at 11 am in front of the FCDO!
3. Write to your MPs: https://freealaa.net/take-action