Senate elections decrease strike turnout
By: Roquaya Zamzam
The Student Senate elections held last Tuesday negatively affected the turnout of demonstration organized by students in memoriam of the victims of the Dahshour accident.
A bus carrying families from Dahshour to Cairo was hit by a train while crossing a railway, killing 30 passengers.
A number of students held banners in front of the school of science and engineering (SSE) steps, protesting against the government’s response to the accident.
Mina Magdy, petroleum engineering junior and organizer of the event, said, “I started the event on Facebook and 50 joined as attendees; however, many students didn’t show up because of the student elections, which were held at the same time.”
He added that numbers aren’t as important as reaching a solution regarding the issue.
“I hope that students didn’t come due to their preoccupation with the elections and not out of carelessness; the death toll is increasing by the day and it won’t stop unless we get involved and push the government [to take] action.”
Magdy said that another march will be arranged by the studentstoday for the same purpose.
“We will try our best to publicize for the event and reach as many students possible,” he said, adding, “Students have to realize the consequences of their ignorance because they could have been in the accident and would certainly want more support.”
Magdy added that the government issued a statement condemning the passengers for breaking the railway roads and passing through them.
Mina Marcos a computer engineering sophomore who attended the demonstration, told the Caravan that an initiative will be started by the students of engineering to “participate in a project and try to solve the problem of railway accidents.”
“We are tired of hearing about death due to negligence of the government and its sloppy policies,” he added.
Since more than two accidents occurred this year, Marcos explained that the project will be developed and offered to the government in an effort to find a solution to the problem.
“If the government isn’t willing to solve the crises, we as students have to own up to our part and stop losing whole families due to lack of efficiency.”
Alia Moustafa a senior studying English literature, said, “Even though it’s a huge matter, the event was very small. I believe they should work on propagating the cause since not many people heard about it.”
“Death is a serious issue and it can’t be taken for granted. Losing 30 lives in such a horrible accident deserves more than just one stand; Senate elections shouldn’t be even taken into consideration,” she added .
Nancy Hassan, a senior studying business administration, said, “I was invited to the event but when I reached the SSE no one was there. Instead, students were standing in lines to vote for the senate elections.”
She said that in her opinion, the low turnout was a sign of disrespect to people who lost their lives.
“The least they deserve is a memorial.”
