Sydney Coptic protest

On Saturday May 21 the Coptic Community held a protest in Martin Place, Sydney.

Several thousand supporters gathered, with banners, flags, placards and hearty voices to hear church leaders and representatives from both state and federal parliament, draw attention to anti-Christian activities in Egypt and the lack of human rights.

Led by Youth Worker “Monica” as MC, they declared they had gathered with the aims to:

1. Support the 40,000 Coptic brothers and sisters currently protesting in Mespero, Cairo, Egypt.
2. Oppose the ongoing and increasing movement of kidnapping, rape and forced conversions of teenaged girls, women and children.
3. Reveal human rights violations against Copts (unjust arrest and imprisonment of innocent Copts and protestors).
4. Declare 40 years of ongoing attacks on churches, monasteries and the Christian faith.
5. Report attacks and threats made against His Holiness Pope Shenouda III.

Church leaders opened the meeting in prayer and worship, prior to representatives of the various denominations, including the Maronite Church and the Assyrian Universal Alliance, voicing their support for the aims of the gathering.

Throughout the meeting, chants were heard of “We want justice”, “Human rights in Egypt”, “No Sharia Law”,“Enough is enough”.

The organisers had planned a sit-in in front of the Egyptian Consulate in Surry Hills but on police advice moved it away from the narrow precincts to the larger amphitheatre. People with a purpose soon filled the square from wall to wall.

They were assured by such politicians as Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells (representing the Hon. Tony Abbott MP), Scott Morrison MP, Greg Donnelly MLC, David Clarke MLC, Marie Ficarra MLC, Craig Kelly MP, Peter Tadros and Peter Madden of the CDP (Christian Democratic Party) that their voices had been heard and the cause would be supported by their political parties.