I got this from Amnesty International:
http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/siteapps/advocacy/ActionItem.aspx?c=6oJCLQPAJiJUG&b=6645049&aid=519725&msource=W1305EAMNA1
Dear Tracy,
Have you heard the one about Bassem Youssef? He mocked Egyptian authorities and landed in jail for "insulting the president."
Insulting the president? No, that's not a joke.
Today
is World Press Freedom Day. Fight for a free press! Tell Egyptian
authorities to stop gagging critics and start getting serious about
human rights.
Known as the "Egyptian Jon Stewart," Bassem
hosts a weekly satire program, al-Bernameg, modeled after The Daily Show
and watched by more than 30 million Egyptians. He is one of up to 33
Egyptians swept up in an alarming new government squeeze on media
freedom. One of them, video blogger Ahmed Anwar, will go on trial May 4.
"It's ironic that May 3 is World Press Freedom Day and I'm facing trial
the next day just for posting a video," Anwar told Amnesty
International.
Bassem's and Anwar's arrests sent a clear message to critics -- criticize the government and you could be next.
"You
are doing what I take for granted all the time," Jon Stewart told
Bassem on The Daily Show last week. "And forget sometimes."
You don't forget. You're one of 3 million people worldwide committed to defending basic freedoms with Amnesty.
Send this message to Egypt's Public Prosecutor: Peaceful criticism is a human right. Drop the charges!
Today
especially, on World Press Freedom Day, we honor and defend the
contributions of the world's journalists, reporters, bloggers and
writers, who risk harassment, physical abuse and sometimes even death to
speak truth to power.
Bassem has noted that while his case has
attracted international attention, there are many others caught up in
the new crackdown. Amnesty International is working to protect dozens of
free speech champions facing threats and intimidation.
Yes,
I support free expression. I will join Amnesty and urge Egypt's Public
Prosecutor to drop the charges that silence dissent.
Thank you for taking action today,
Sunjeev Bery
Advocacy Director, Middle East North Africa
Amnesty International USA
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