I am traveling with Hedy Epstein and J'Ann Allen. We are St. Louis,
Missouri activists in Cairo for the Gaza Freedom March.

We participated in the action taking over the street at Tahrir Square
on December 31. When the police quickly barricaded us in, we felt a
great fear of being crushed. Others sensed this too and mobilized to
protect Hedy from danger. French delegate Clare Didier, who out of
respect for Hedy had visited us in the hotel the previous night,
mobilized several people to create a buffer zone around Hedy to shield
her from falling or being crushed. Anthony Lowenstein from Australia
was positioned behind us and was critical in keeping the space behind
us. Many of us, including Hedy, fell when the crowds pushed from
behind. Immediately, many individuals worked to get Hedy up to her
feet. I had fallen too but was still holding on to Hedy's arm when we
got up and we started to be led toward the sidewalk. I saw a woman
just to my right being beaten by a police officer. I was so angry
that I punched the officer in the arm (and I admit this with
embarrassment since I'm a Quaker). The officer smiled at me and I
believe he was going to come after me. But suddenly one of the senior
police officers recognized Hedy and started yelling "Hasab! Hasab!"
which means VIP. Immediately the atmosphere changed and the police
created a buffer zone around Hedy and helped Hedy, J'Ann and me onto
the sidewalk. Many internationals saved Hedy from harm and Hedy saved
me from a potential beating.