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Local Reaction to Egyptian Power Transition

Thousands of Egyptians protest against President Hosni Mubarak in this February 1, 2011 photo.
Photo by Flickr user Al Jazeera English
Thousands of Egyptians protest against President Hosni Mubarak in this February 1, 2011 photo.

Reaction to the end of President Hosni Mubarak's rule in Egypt is pouring in from around the world.

Here in Austin, Austin Community College associate professor Roy Casagranda - who's half Egyptian - heard the news on BBC Radio this morning.  He says at first, he didn't have the kind of elation that Egyptian protesters probably did when they heard, because he knew there was much more to do.

"Hosni Mubarak stepping down actually is probably the beginning of the story and not the end," said Casagranda. "His going after only 18 days of protest is really a remarkable first step, but that's just it - it's just a first step. Now the Egyptian people need to negotiate with the army to try and create the democracy they want."

He says family members had mixed reactions.  Many of his older relatives are businesspeople, who have been heavily affected by the unrest in Egypt.  But, Casagranda says, the younger people he knows are very, very excited to see an end to 41 years of authoritarian regimes.

"Most of the people I know ... they don't know anything other than dictatorship."

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Matt Largey is the Projects Editor at KUT. That means doing a little bit of everything: editing reporters, producing podcasts, reporting, training, producing live events and always being on the lookout for things that make his ears perk up. Got a tip? Email him at mlargey@kut.org. Follow him on Twitter @mattlargey.
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