North Texans Celebrate Egypt In Downtown Dallas

DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - One day after Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak resigned, Egyptians all over the world celebrated together.

In downtown Dallas, dozens of North Texans gathered at the JFK Memorial Saturday afternoon. They sang the Egyptian national anthem, held signs and waved at passerby.

"People can talk freely, people can express themselves," said Sawsan Gharib, who attended the rally.

Gharib grew up in Egypt and experienced Hosni Mubarak's reign.

"We have a lot of oppression and corruption. Thirty years full of oppression and 30 years full of corruption," she said.

Gharib has lived in Dallas for years, but many of her friends and family members still live in Egypt. Some of them, even her 70-year-old mother, protested in Tahrir Square.

"It's very special because it was done by the people, not the military or international intervention," she said.

Sawsan felt compelled to show her support. She attended three rallies all over Texas and sent her photos back to Egypt.

"The rallies we had and the pictures we sent made them feel that, we as Egyptians abroad, we care," she said.

Many who attended the rally in Dallas believe the worldwide support helped Egyptians stay focused on their goal to peacefully force Mubarak out of office.

"I tell all the people in Egypt we have our hearts with you. We're 7,000 miles away, but we're with you," said Tarek Elbatouty, who also attended the rally.

Twelve-year-old Sarah Gomaa hopes the revolution means her family may soon experience the same type of freedom as she does.

"I'm really proud because they can do what they want, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, whatever they want to do, like Americans," she said.