From November 2013 until November 2016, I was warning Egyptians about the real threat of economic subjugation and the concomitant political repression it would necessitate. I called for a style of resistance like what we have seen recently in Hong Kong, nonviolent disruption against corporate interests to communicate to the international elite that policies of subjugation would not be profitable.
Some listened, some understood, and others ignored, opposed, and belied that message. But the worst thing to happen was when that message was misunderstood, and misapplied, and acts of violence were committed against innocent people.
I tried to emphasise repeatedly that nonviolence is absolutely essential for any authentic opposition to succeed; and I emphasise that again now.
If you do not respect the lives of your brothers and sisters, you are no better than the regime, and you do not deserve to succeed. And from a practical angle, your violence will provide the regime with all the justification it needs to slaughter you.
Protest, disrupt, and oppose the power structure, but never raise your hand in violence, you will fail, and you will deserve to fail.