Eman al-Obeidi is Libya’s Tank Man in Tiananmen Square
A Point of View, Libya, Middle East & North Africa, Politics | Sandra | March 26, 2011 at 15:39
Eman al Obeidi and journalists fend off Gaddafi thugs. Photo by Jerome Delay AP
Her story has riveted everyone seeing the footage. Eman al-Obeidi (el-Obeidy, el Obeidi, al Obeidy), a Libyan woman from Benghazi was stopped at a checkpoint in Tripoli and detained for two days. Raped repeatedly by a group of 15 or so Gaddafi thugs, she was brutalized physically and mentally. Raping not enough, they resorted to defecating and urinating on her to complete the humiliation.
But they couldn’t break her spirit. She found her way to the dining room of the Hotel Rixos where foreign journalists are sequestered. The following footage tells the ensuing story far better than I ever could.
http://www.channel4.com/news/libya-a-womans-cry-for-help-in-tripoli-hotel
Tweeps are already comparing her courage to that of Tank Man (Unknown Rebel) who stood alone in front of the column of tanks in Tiananmen Square on June 4 1989. Â Just as Wael Ghonim’s emotional TV appearance after his release from two-week custody turned Egyptian sentiment in favor of the Youth Revolution in Tahrir Square, there are many who hope the bravery of Eman al-Obeidi will show the world once and far all what Libyans endure under the Gaddafi regime.
Of course, she was smeared on Libyan State TV which claimed she did not behave like a woman who had been raped, that she was shaming her family etc etc etc. If you want to watch the actual telecast (in Arabic with English subtitles), go here: Â YouTube – Gadhafi’s response to victim Iman Al-Obeidi http://bit.ly/fMIrvp.
And then more of this bizarre story. Here is a video of Eman in a police station, lying on the floor with a man and woman encouraging her to go on TV, go to hospital for rape kit, accusing her of wanting only to talk to Al Jazeera and a series of other very strange verbal exchanges. There must be heavy cultural undercurrents here. The final part with the Libyan state TV commentator talking about prostitutes and patriotism is beyond belief from perspective of an American. Where is Nancy Grace? Libyan State TV Follow Up On Eman | Alive in Libya http://bit.ly/h9mxWS
Nothing has been seen or heard of her since those last images of her being driven away in a white car from Hotel Rixos. We hope she is not another martyr like Mohammad Mo Nabbous who was assassinated by snipers for speaking the truth and showing the world the horror of Muammar Gaddafi and his regime. http://english.aljazeera.net/video/africa/2011/03/201132641516680124.html
Tags: Al-Obeidi, el Obeidi, el Obeidy, Eman, Eman al-Obeidi, Gaddafi, Hotel Rixos, Libya, Mo, Mohammad Nabbous, Nancy Grace, snipers, Tank Man, Tiananmen Square, Tripoli, Unknown Rebel, Wael Ghonim
Tweet This
Digg This
Save to delicious
Stumble it
[…] described her as a “symbol of defiance against Gaddafi.” Others have described her as Libya’s Tank Man in Tiananmen Square, and compared the incident to Wael Ghonim’s TV appearance after his release […]
How great it is that Europe and the US are now aggressively engaging Gaddafi’s mercenaries. Obama was not goaded into hasty action. He got the approval and support of the world first. But he did take a leadership role and make strong demands that are now being enforced.
Alas for the desths, injuries and destruction during those weeks. But I guess as they say, freedom isn’t free. Even in Cairo it wasn’t easy. Meanwhile the Libyans had a chance to show their determination and the extreme danger they are in from their own ruler and his henchmen.
Now this video footage of Eman Al-Obeidi’s desperate appeal and kidnapping, and the brutal suppression of the news media, should be seen worldwide. It shows Gaddafi’s ruthlessness and should turn world opinion more firmly against him. I also hope that this brave woman can be saved by international media and authorities from the dictator’s worst cruelty.
Gaddafi will not win. Despite their fear, Libyans will not be defeated because they refuse to be repressed and in that, they have won something most people only dream about. They are already free and they will succeed. Gaddafi knows this, is terrified and will fail.