Never Forget
Eman al-Obeidy
Presumed Dead
Demand Answers
Eman al-Obeidy met reporters at the Tripoli Hotel to tell them her story--a story of abuse and betrayal by authority figures. She told of how she was detained for two days and raped by 15 men of Gadhafi's regime, and then sent on her way in what was no doubt a fearful silence. It was only during this recent rebellion that she finally worked up the courage to come out in Benghazi--Gadhafi's stronghold--and spoke up against everything that is wrong with his government. Instantly she was snatched up, beaten, called a "traitor", and dragged away to parts unknown. Government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim claims that she has been returned to her family and that her claims are being looked into, but no proof has been given. We have seen them killing civilians in the streets, and yet they have the gall to expect us to take their word for it. Her family has even stated that they have not seen her since she went to the hotel.
I for one will not swallow the lies this bigoted regime continues to force upon us. We all fear we know what has become of her, but still cling to the hope that perhaps some day we'll see her alive again. When will we hold this government accountable for its wrongs? How long will we hold back from supporting the rebels because we "don't know who they are or what they stand for"? We do know them, and what they stand for. They are the common man, and they stand for freedom.
What will we tell Eman's parents? That she was a careless renegade who threw herself to the wolves for nothing? Will we let this poor woman's brave sacrifice be in vain?
