[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 154 (Friday, October 14, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1868]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  VIOLENCE AGAINST EGYPTIAN PROTESTERS

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                          HON. GARY C. PETERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 14, 2011

  Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my outrage at the 
military government in Egypt which committed a horrendous act of 
violence against its own citizens last Sunday night, and at the state 
run media in Egypt which helped incite that violence.
  Coptic Christians have lived peacefully in Egypt for millennia, but 
sadly in recent months Coptic churches and protestors have been 
targeted for violence by sectarian extremists. Sadly, it now appears 
that the government is playing a role in fostering this unrest, and 
attacking its own people.
  Last Sunday more than 1,000 Copts gathered to protest a recent attack 
by Islamist radicals on a Coptic church in the country's south. While 
it's not clear why this protest turned violent, what we do know from 
video shot at the scene is that 26 protesters died after the military 
drove armored vehicles into the crowds.
  Perhaps even more disturbing, state run media sources called upon 
other Egyptians to take to the streets to protect the military from the 
protesters. The actions of the media served only to heighten tension 
and create the increased likelihood that a peaceful protest would turn 
violent.
  I applaud Egyptian Deputy Prime Minister Hazem El-Beblawi who 
submitted his resignation on Tuesday in protest over the government's 
actions. I am disappointed that Egypt's military government has refused 
to allow him to resign.
  The end of the reign of Hosni Mubarak creates an enormous opportunity 
for Egypt to create a democratic society that respects the rights of 
minorities. In order to maintain international legitimacy and the 
support of the United States government, the Egyptian military must 
demonstrate a commitment to protecting Christians and others who have 
been targeted for violence.

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