The millions of Egyptians filling the streets and public places — despite bans on assembly and strict curfews — are demanding governmental representation that responds to the urgent needs of the nation’s people rather than the privileged elite.

The people of Egypt are struggling for jobs and a revitalized economic sector along with the recognition of the human rights of due process and other civil liberties that have been suspended or severely restricted during the current regime.

Beginning last week, and continuing into the present, Egyptians have engaged in demonstrations and acts of defiance against the regime of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, who has ruled the nation since 1981 under a state of “emergency law” that has expanded the powers of the state while at the same time limiting or criminalizing acts of dissent and protest.

Mubarak’s regime has been notorious for its widespread corruption, systematic policies of torture, intimidation and victimization of the Egyptian people. Throughout the past several decades, Egypt’s economic infrastructure has continued to crumble with rising poverty and joblessness.

Regarding the Mubarak regime Amnesty International writes, “The Egyptian government depends on armed violence to justify its anti-democratic and anti-human rights powers.”

Such armed violence has been harnessed and supported by the U.S. with Amnesty International finding the U.S. has sent domestically detained persons to Egypt for further imprisonment and torture through a systematic policy of extraordinary rendition, with some flights destined for Egypt leaving from North Carolina.

This illegal practice — which has not been prosecuted — directly supports Egypt’s domestic and programs of torture and violence toward dissidents and those suspected of criminal offenses.

Human Rights Watch describes state orchestrated torture as an “endemic problem in Egypt” with widespread police intimidation of victims and witnesses of torture. Government prosecutors are unwilling to investigate or bring charges.

Torturers often are vested with the responsibility to investigate claims of torture leaving victims’ families and survivors with little legal reproach.

Direct and institutional violence against the people of Egypt by their government has led to the current demonstrations. News outlets have reported that in the past week more than 100 Egyptians have been killed, and more than 1,000 wounded during demonstrations that have included the firing of bullets by Egyptian police and military personnel.

Additionally, police also have fatally shot tear gas canisters directly at the heads of protesters. U.S. made and supplied bullets, rubber bullets and tear gas canisters are being used to kill, intimidate and violently disperse demonstrators.

The United Nations has reported that since the start of the uprising more than 1,000 Egyptians are known to have been detained or arrested or currently are detained or under arrest; with all facing the possibility of torture and other punitive treatment at the hands of government officers.

The Egyptian government had blocked Internet access and for some time telephone availabilities for most within the nation, leaving many unable to communicate with loved ones or with others regarding the ongoing struggle.

Domestic and international journalists have been intimidated, assaulted and detained, while their equipment was confiscated and destroyed. This was all in an effort to stifle coverage that would expose widespread state-sponsored terrorism against an uprising people.

We are at a crossroads.

We can continue with the status quo American foreign policy that supports ruthless dictators for our own economic gain, or we can realign American interests with the interests of the world’s people; united in struggle.

Mitch Goldsmith is a State News guest columnist and a social relations and policy, women’s and gender studies senior. Reach him at goldsm4@msu.edu.