4. ANARCHISM IN EGYPT

Anarchism

In Egypt

The history of anarchism in Egypt is linked in its beginnings to anarchism in Italy and, especially, to anarcho-syndicalist ideas. Beginnings Edit During 1877 an anarchist publication in Italian entitled "Il Lavoratore" appeared in Alexandria. Shortly after, in September 1878, Errico Malatesta left Italy to avoid being arrested, settling in the city of Alexandria (Egypt), where there was a prosperous community of Italian workers. 

As a result of the failed attack against King Umberto I by the Republican Passamante, a fierce repression was unleashed, in particular against the anarchists. Malatesta was deported to Italy along with Alvina. The Italian "patriots" (pro monarchists) residing in Egypt condemned Passamante's action, but the Italian anarchists responded by organizing a workers' demonstration in support of Passamante in front of the Italian Consulate.

In 1884 an anarchist Italian magazine appeared, "La Questione Sociale", founded by Malatesta. Anarchism in the Egyptian Labor Movement Edit During the construction of the Suez Canal, Egyptian coal workers declared a strike against the Construction Company in Port Said on April 1, 1882. On March 18, 1894, a Greek worker who distributed anarchist pamphlets claiming the Paris Commune was arrested by the police; on October 1, the Greek workers employed by the Suez Canal Company went on strike. Sakilarides Yanakakis established a shoemakers union. In 1899 Italian workers at the Assuan Dam went on strike, while tobacco workers called a general strike the same year.

In 1903 the Union of Employees of International Trade Companies was created. In 1907 foreign workers in Alexandria and Cairo demonstrated against the extradition of Russian refugees living in Egypt, fleeing the repression that followed the 1905 Revolution. In 1908 the Cairo Tramworkers Union was followed.

Protest in Egypt