As street violence escalated in Egypt today, one website has been translating voicemail tweets from Cairo–some heartbreaking accounts are now emerging as Egyptians struggle to beat the information crackdown.
According to reports, the Internet has been shut down and journalists have become the targets of violence. The website Alive in Egypt has been translating voicemail messages from Egypt–telling these stories in English, Spanish, and German so the world can follow the momentous protests.
Here is one story: “Oh my god, oh my god, we are in Tahrir Square, they are killing us. The thugs have killed us. May God ruin your homes, May god ruin your homes, you pigs. Oh my god. Oh my god. They Killed us! They slaughtered us.”
Here’s another message about communication breakdown: “People in Tahrir trying to dial out, can no longer do that. They cannot dial other people in Tahrir square or outside the area. They can still receive calls.”
Here is a final story: “I am standing right now under my home with a knife and a baseball bat on my shoulder. Just waiting for anyone to come. So, lets think deeply, lets use him, we don’t want him, and I definitely don’t want him. But this old man was in place for 30 years and he did some good things and I am not counting this for him. but he did something good so I will use him, for now, and leave him till next elections. The economy is dying here, everyone is here with no food…anyways this is my voice to you. Guys try to tell eachother this, if Mubarak leaves we will kill each other for money! Everyone has weapons, even 10 year old boys!”