On Saturday 21 May 2011, the Coptic Community held a protest in Martin Place, Sydney, from 11.00am to 3.00pm, with a significant difference.
This protest was supported, for the first time, by five associated groups:
The Australian Coptic Movement (ACM)
Australian Coptic Association
Australian Sudanese Human Rights Association
Upper Egypt Association
Australian Coptic Sudanese Welfare Association
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 due to unjust arrest and imprisonment of innocent Copts and protestors
4. Declare 40 years of ongoing attacks on our 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 five denominations 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.” All in the city centre which was adorned with Sydney City Council banners declaring this is “National Law Week – Law and Justice in Your Community,” which seemed to be what the Coptic Christians were crying out for in their homeland!
The organizers 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 Scott Morrison MP, Greg Donnelly MLC, David Clarke MLC, Marie Ficarra MLC, Peter Tadros and Peter Madden of the CDP (Christian Democratic Party) that their voices had been heard and their cause will be supported by such leaders of government.
