For a boy on the streets of Cairo, revolution is his only hope

[ellisonz]

Protesters demonstrate in Tahrir Square in Cairo. (Mohamed Omar / European Pressphoto Agency / November 27, 2011)

Hosni Mubarak's ouster has done nothing to change the plight of Ibrahim Shaban -- and many others among Egypt's 3 million homeless children. But revolution is still in the air, feeding his dreams.

By Jeffrey Fleishman, Los Angeles Times
November 27, 2011, 4:15 p.m.
Reporting from Cairo—

Ibrahim Shaban said he was 15, but he looked much younger in his pajama pants and sweat shirt with the worn-away rhinestones, dirt caked on his bare feet, a knife scar on his face. He strolled through the crowds in Tahrir Square the other day, watching banners unfurl, listening to speeches. He sometimes sounded like a miniature rebel, distilling the nation's rage in his narrow body.

"My father died a month ago, so I've been living in the square," he said. "He had heart problems. He sold cups and glasses in the street. I used to help him. He's gone now. My mother died too. A few years ago. I don't know what of. She just died."

He looked over at the makeshift hospital at the mosque. A man overcome by tear gas lay unconscious. Another was bleeding. Police were firing birdshot in the streets. Mobs surged toward them. More wounded would be coming. A cleric bent to pray.

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"I want to be part of this protest," he said. "I want my own rights one day."

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-egypt-homeless-boy-20111128,0,400158.story

[Earth_First]

1. For a boy on the streets of San Fransico, Miami, Philadelphia, revolution is their only hope. n/t

[Zorra]

2. +millions

[ellisonz]

3. Kick for children.

:grouphug: