Sound Bite - SigEp experiences turmoil in Egypt

Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity

READ HIS STIRRING FIRST-HAND ACCOUNT FROM THE GROUND

Ankit Sethi, Syracuse '12

Ankit Sethi, Syracuse ’12, from Springfield, Va., is majoring in International Relations and Economics. He was attending a study-abroad program in Cairo sponsored by the university and unexpectedly found himself in the midst of a revolution.

Ankit Sethi (right) was a witness to history during his semester in Egypt. My attempt to watch from the El-Nile bridge in Cairo, Egypt, resulted in a mad dash through the streets, fighting the effects of tear gas that the riot brigade bombarded upon the crowds. To say it burns would be an understatement. The only way out was to follow the crowd someplace to avoid more tear gas. As I tried to escape the chaos, another canister hit my foot.

The poison filled the air, yet thousands still descended in support of their cause. The adrenaline subsided, and even with a quarter mile between me and the crowds, the tear gas remained absolutely crippling. I tried to catch my breath from running but my deep inhales were overpowered by sulfur. We stood there for what seemed like an eternity, anxiously waiting for our friends to meet us, but we had lost them in the crowd. We retreated to my apartment in the hopes that they had already made their way there.

Back in the apartment, my roommate and I climbed to the roof of the 16-story building to watch everything unfold. In the midst of this complete violence, the 3:00pm call to prayer began. Some still stopped to acknowledge the call, possibly praying for the safety of their compatriots and a swift end to the madness. The cavalry, trucks equipped with water cannons, began their rampage 13 minutes after we arrived on the roof. Protesters on other roofs retaliated by tossing Molotov cocktails down towards the police; some caught fire. The entire image seemed surreal, the fog of tear gas in the streets and on top of the buildings engulfed individuals waving Egyptian flags, while loud chants continued throughout the skirmish. It had only been twenty minutes.

More police showed up to contain the growing number of protestors, who greeted this arrival with a shower of burning car tires. A yellow Hummer, parked in the midst of the people, caught fire. A guard booth burned too and was forcibly rolled down the street towards the square. At 5:21pm, a final battery of Molotov cocktails forced the police to retreat from the square. Cheers only lasted half an hour as the police attacked the protestors again. Still, people continued to join the crowd. They began to kneel in front of the police, who stood shoulder to shoulder, as another call to prayer rang out at 6:53pm. Seventeen minutes later, the police stood down and walked away. The crowds roared “Allah Hu Akbar” which translates as “God is Great.”

The following days were endured with great caution. Later, online comments and concerns of my loved ones overwhelmed me. Heart-felt words of comfort from my brothers left a lasting impression...