NorthJersey.com
Ten years ago, Ahmed Abdel-Basit joined the massive crowds in Cairo's Tahrir Square to demand reform in a momentous demonstration that sparked revolution in Egypt and the downfall of longtime President Hosni Mubarak.
But events didn't turn out the way protesters had hoped. After a military coup, a new regime took the helm, and many Egyptians believe it is even more oppressive, cracking down on political activity and dissent.
Looking at photos from Jan. 25, 2011, the physics teacher, who now lives in Jersey City, said he felt devastated.
“I’m sad and sorry for all we went through,” said Abdel-Basit, 35, who was granted asylum in the U.S. in 2018. “We didn’t achieve our goal, but we are still fighting.”