At a meeting with labor union leaders in Mahalla on Tuesday, independent presidential hopeful Mohamed ElBaradei said that those wishing for political change must “move in unconventional ways” and educate the public on how to obtain their rights.
“The people's representatives in parliament will not do the job,” he said. “I hope Egypt doesn't face a violent, hunger-driven revolution against the regime.”
ElBardei stated four ways that citizens could help realize political change: by signing his “Together We'll Change” petition; by boycotting upcoming elections; by staging peaceful demonstrations; and by practicing organized civil disobedience.
“People must be ready to deal with changes next year,” he said, criticizing the absence of collective popular activism.
He went on to explain that he traveled frequently in an effort to garner sympathy for his cause from the international community.
“I have been asked to announce an electoral program,” ElBaradei said. “But I won't do so because the people should have their own program.”
He added that workers had the right to form independent unions.
ElBaradei supporters, meanwhile, have launched a new online campaign calling on the public to begin engaging in acts of civil disobedience.
Translated from the Arabic Edition.
