I didn’t not march to Abbasseya on May 4th. I calculated that it will end in disaster. The goals were incredibly vague and often at cross purpose. This is even reflected in the writings of activists after the event. Where Nowara Negm, who attended both the sit and the march, sees that the main focus was on refusing a presidential election under SCAF rule, Tamim Al-Barghouti sees that is was mainly to force SCAF to go ahead with the presidential elections without delay. I don’t mind putting myself is harm’s way if I knew the cause was good and noble, however getting maimed, incarcerated, or killed for no clear purpose is not my cup of tea.

In November, I witness of a awful massacre of many revolutionary youths. Mostly  were moved to protect Tahrir by pure human compassion. It was trap!!! Many died, lost their lives or were imprisoned. At that terrible cost in life a limb we manage to force SCAF hand to move the presidential elections earlier. There were many attempts to get the most popular of the presidential candidates to join forces and form an interim presidential council and SCAF’s to step down for that role. They could have come to something if it were not the cowardice of those candidates.

Many of my friend who marched to Abbasseya were moved by a similar compassion, it was mainly to make a stand against the murder of a group of peaceful protesters, even if they adhere to an orthogonal ideology. They were following Voltaire’s maxim on protecting freedom of expression of others to the extreme. I have to admire and respect their nobility, even if I see folly in their actions. I know also of others who are just simply sick and tired of SCAF and who take every opportunity to chant against. They do not see a way out of the accumulating pain the SCAF rule has induced.

Without a clear goal, or purpose, and in the absence of concrete political solution it was a ripe opportunity for SCAF to crush the march, capture as many of the protesters and possible and deal a painful blow to the revolutionaries. The crack down on Friday came with very limited public outcry. A desensitized, scared, and economically crushed population is hanging on to any semblance of stability by a thread. SCAF did a good job of spreading fear and panic. Many have their hopes for a better future replaced by the fundamental desire to survive in any shape or form. A sizable fraction of the population after the post Mubarak step down elation and confidence have become afraid and cowardly. If this disease spreads, future popular action will be in great jeopardy. 

See also:
Abbasiya in a nutshell! by Sandmonkey
Mind the gap by KarShaf