Tarek al-Kashif, a member of the tax employees’ committee that is protesting the civil service law, said in an interview with Al-Masry Al-Youm that there was a plot to stop the 'million man' protest that was to take place in Fustat Park.
Q: Why did the 'million man' demonstration fail?
A: It was thwarted by a conspiracy and a deliberate plot by the media, the security forces and senior leaders from the government who forbade their staff from taking part in the demonstration.
The media accused the protesters of affiliation with the Muslim Brotherhood.
I personally received a phone call from an unknown person who threatened me by telling me not to take part in the protest for the sake of my children.
And the security forces closed Fustat Park and denied the buses carrying protesters from other cities access to it.
Q: But we heard that the government had reassured the protesters. Is this true?
A: Kamal Abu Eita, a leader of the labor movement, told Prime Minister Mehleb that the protesters were being threatened. Mehleb took firm action to stop those threats. Also, Eita asked the Interior Minister to secure the protesters.
Q: Will you coordinate with the Solidarity Movement again?
A: It is likely that the tax employees will act individually in the future, separate from Solidarity.
Q: What will you do?
A: We will wait for the Cabinet reshuffle and see if the finance minister will be replaced, which is what we want, before we decide on any escalation.
Q: Do you think the government will meet your demands and rescind the law?
A: There is news about freezing it until it is discussed by the next parliament.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
