Journalist's Equipment Stolen by Egyptian Police

Fundraiser for Journalist who had his Laptop and Camera Lens Stolen by Egyptian Police

I work as a freelance journalist and I recently went to Egypt to report on the Global March to Gaza - a grassroots effort that brought 1,000s of people from all over the world to Cairo. The goal of the movement was to march across part of the Sinai and demand an end to the genocide and the immediate mass release and distribution of aid to Gaza. Unfortunately, the Egyptian government crushed the nonviolent action through some rather intense repression. Hundreds were deported from Egypt, countless hotels were raided, activists were taken in by police and disappeared for hours or days. The march itself was attacked by a large group of police and paid government thugs who violently attacked people with pepper spray, clubs, and whips.

During the violent attack I was grabbed by police while doing my work as a journalist. They dragged me and threw me in a van with a number of other activists. They drove us farther away and threw us in a police truck where they took our phones, passports, and continued to threaten us. I informed the police before, during, and after my detention that I was a journalist and I showed them my journalist badge. I was eventually released but while I was in detention the police stole my laptop, my Nikon camera lens, and even my pencil case and pens. This made my work rather difficult as I had to write with a pen and notebook for a few days and missed my initial goal to get some articles out.

The US Embassy in Cairo told me I had some options to try and get my items back but that it was unlikely I would get anything. They also warned that if I told the police that other officers stole my laptop and lens then it might put a target on my back.

It is painfully evident that the Egyptian government does not want the world to know how they crushed the Global March to Gaza, how they repress people, and how they are enabling the genocide in Gaza. Let’s not let the Egyptian government successfully silence those voices that are fighting for justice in Palestine, and trying to get this story out to the world.

Your donation will cover the costs of the used laptop I bought in Egypt, and a used Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24-120mm camera lens, and perhaps a pen or two. You can take an active part in keeping independent journalism alive.

Please stay tuned for my reporting in the coming weeks on the Global March to Gaza in Unicorn Riot news and other publications. Thank you so much for helping me!