Presentation
Esam Boraey
"I don't know what I am doing here," Esam said as he began his speech. He shared that these were not his words, but the words of Hosni Mubarak, the former president of Egypt. These words inspired a huge opposition of the president in Egypt, Esam's country of origin, but the problem was despite many groups opposing the president and the line of succession, it was difficult to stand as a united front.
Esam was a student at the time, and he and 6 other students felt the same way and decided to form a grassroots movement to stand against the Mubarak. Despite the risks, Esam and the students stood in front of their supreme court and spoke against the president. They ended up in prison that night, and endured torture in a tactic from the authoritarian regime to break down their opposition. However, that did not stop Esam from pursuing the rights he believed his country deserved. Despite many obstacles from the military and the police in their attempts to stop the opposition from spreading, Esam and his peers continued to grow their grassroots campaign and grow their resistance.
As their resistance grew, the group decided to hold a demonstration on January 25, 2011, the "Police Holiday" as a statement against police brutality as a result of Mubarak's regime. Esam had hoped that the demonstration would draw 10,000 people but it quickly grew after Mubarak instructed police to use violence and opened fire onto the crowd. Broadcasts and communications of the event were shut down, leaving those viewing the demonstration at home with the image of people being murdered by the hands of the president. The demonstration increased to 100,000 people who occupied Cairo. 1500 people lost their lives that day and Mubarak was okay with that.
By the end of that week, 13 million people had backed Esam and the grassroots resistance he was a part of. He could not believe that what 7 students started years ago, 13 million people now stood behind. February 11, 2011, Mubarak resigned as president and turned the power to the Supreme Council of Armed Forces.
However, this caused other issues with military in power. Esam wanted a free election and democracy. He ran for the Egyptian senate but was arrested for working for a human rights organization that advocated for youth engagement in politics and was held illegally in prison for 18 months as he awaited trial. He was eventually released after international organizations advocated for his release. He then learned upon his release awaiting a trial that he was found guilty would be sentenced for 2 additional years. With moments to spare, he boarded a plane with what little he had and arrived in Washington, D.C not knowing any English, anyone in America, not having any food, or place to stay.
Esam arrived in D.C in 2013. He chose America because he is drawn and inspired by American values; democracy and freedom.
Despite all that he has been through, he continues to advocate for Egypt and continues to inspire others to fight for what is right and to NEVER give up hope.
To learn more about Esam's incredible journey of overcoming insurmountable challenges, visit his website.