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Egypt says: “It is NOT a Coup”

Categories: Middle East & North Africa, Egypt, Citizen Media, Media & Journalism, Politics, Protest, War & Conflict

This post is a part of our Special Coverage Egyptians Overthrow Morsi [1]

The US meddling in Egyptian affairs – and the coverage of news networks, particularly CNN, of the political developments in Egypt – came under fire last night. The ousting of former Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi after a year in office ushered celebrations across the country, as well as a bout of violence [2] between pro- and anti-Morsi supporters.

While Morsi supporters say that the removal of Morsi from power was a military coup, the anti-Morsi camp insists it was the will of the people, with the support of the powerful military establishment that has made the ousting possible.

Many also are angry over what they call as the US meddling in Egyptian Affairs. They say that the “provocative statement” [3] by US president Barak Obama ignored the masses who took the streets to reclaim their freedom and waved the aid card instead. The US statement, issued on July 3, reads:

The United States is monitoring the very fluid situation in Egypt, and we believe that ultimately the future of Egypt can only be determined by the Egyptian people. Nevertheless, we are deeply concerned by the decision of the Egyptian Armed Forces to remove President Morsy and suspend the Egyptian constitution. I now call on the Egyptian military to move quickly and responsibly to return full authority back to a democratically elected civilian government as soon as possible through an inclusive and transparent process, and to avoid any arbitrary arrests of President Morsy and his supporters. Given today’s developments, I have also directed the relevant departments and agencies to review the implications under U.S. law for our assistance to the Government of Egypt.

Following this reaction, CNN, which was covering the developments live, started what many netizens call “a vapid campaign to support the ousted Muslim Brotherhood President and his legitimacy by describing the pro-Morsi rallies as “peaceful”, calling the popular demand a “coup” and denouncing the military action against the “peaceful” MB protestors:

@:CNN [4] Violence erupts as Morsy supporters denounce coup http://on.cnn.com/11nnpPL

The new logo of the CNN - Photo Posted by  ‏@aelsadek

The new logo of the CNN – Photo Posted by ‏@aelsadek [5]

Sadek's new logo [5], for CNN, includes the Muslim Brotherhood emblem. The writing in Arabic is their motto [ar]: Arm Yourself.

Wael responded with pictures to their twisted facts:

@Waelucination [6] Peaceful demonstrations? Stop lying @CNN pic.twitter.com/y9AamNfKXF

The Muslim Brotherhood "peaceful" rallies. @Waelucination argues that the CNN is lying in its portrayal of the pro-Morsi protestors [7]

The Muslim Brotherhood “peaceful” rallies. @Waelucination [7] argues that the CNN is lying in its portrayal of the pro-Morsi protestors. This photograph shows armed militia among the protestors

On the CNN network's objectivity while airing the clashes instigated by MB supporters, May Kamel highlighted:

@MayKamel [8] Now that #MBareterrorists are attacking people in #Tahrir with live ammo, CNN Live is not interested to air. #CNN_STOP_Lying_About_Egypt

Aggravated by the US Administration and media response, netizens started the hashtags #not_a_coup & #MindYourOwnBusinessUS on Twitter.

not a coup

Waleed Says:

@WilloEgy [9] 33 million civilians in the streets urging #Morsi to step down and you still call it military coup? You are deliberately twisting facts.

While Ahmed Sabry said:

@A_M_Sabry [10] #we never elected #Obama to run #Egypt .. I think #MindYourBusinessUS

Baheya added:

@Baheyah [11]: #EgyptianRevolutionNotMilitaryCoup egyptians went out to get rid of #morsi using their weapon of mass distraction = their VOICE

In her post, entitled June 30: The Real Deal [12], Yusra Badr says the Muslim Brotherhood's one-year rule has deprived the Egyptian Nation of its long awaited celebrations and turned them into funerals. She adds:

I am not a political activist, I am not a reporter and I am not an expert analyst, but I am one of the millions of Egyptians who wanted Morsi out of their presidential palace. I am also one of the millions whose hearts are breaking at being deprived of the victory we achieved on June 30th by having the truth distorted and confusing the world into looking down at us.

She then concludes:

So here you have it, in very simple words, perhaps even naive, because I am writing this in the middle of the night and did not use any references. But references are unnecessary for me because I have been living in this nightmare for a year, and I am proud of what we have done on June 30 and of the support of our military.

That’s it; the real deal. This is not a coup, this is the will of the nation coming to life in an unconventional manner

This post is a part of our Special Coverage Egyptians Overthrow Morsi [1]