Iraq After Maliki's "100 Days": An Interview with Iraqi Organizer Uday al-Zaidi

4 Jun 09 2011 by Ali Issa

[Uday al-Zaidi. Image from Associated Press.]

On February 27, 2011, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki gave his parliament 100 days to "reform" their sometimes totally nonfunctional ministries or face consequences, in response “to people’s demands” as he put it. Those demands have taken the form of some of the least noted events of the Arab Spring: large mobilizations in Baghdad's Tahrir Square; mass acts of civil disobedience and a general strike in Mosul; and the resignations of several governors all over Iraq, including two Basra governors. The Iraqi state has responded violently, with curfews, live ammunition, and wide scale arrests (signaled by Iraqis calling March 18th, "The Friday of Prisoners"). That deadline for reform ended June 7th, and many Iraqi civil society leaders are preparing for renewed protests this summer, calling Friday June 10th, the “Friday of Resolution and Departure.” One such organizer is Baghdad-based Uday al-Zaidi, leader of an organization called “The Popular Movement to Save Iraq” and the brother of journalist Muntazer al-Zaidi, who gained renown for throwing his shoes at then president George W. Bush.

The past three months have also seen a large shift in al-Maliki's position on the presence of US troops in Iraq, from insisting on their scheduled withdrawal at the end of 2011, to allowing for the possibility of signing a new agreement extending their stay after "a national referendum." Iraqis have been discussing at length what they see as this double crisis of legitimacy of the present Iraqi government: an utter lack of ability or interest in providing the most basic of services; as well as obedience to both a deeply unpopular military occupation as well as regional forces. Grassroots organizers meanwhile have seen this as an opening to make their protests really have an impact. In the following interview, Uday discusses his brothers, what he thinks has been driving these protests, who is participating, as well as the most prominent demands. The interview was conducted and translated by Ali Issa on May 25th, and was edited and produced by Joyce Wagner. For more on organizing in Iraq, click here.

The Shoe Thrower's Brother from JOYCE! on Vimeo.

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4 comments for "Iraq After Maliki's "100 Days": An Interview with Iraqi Organizer Uday al-Zaidi"

Here in Houston Texas I wish you great success in your efforts to regain the dignity and greatness that was once Iraq. Lee Loe, Grandmother for Peace

LEE LOE wrote on June 17, 2011 at 11:26 PM

I am inspired to see the Iraqi people, having suffered so much from the U.S. invasion and occupation, responding with a peaceful movement to restore their country. It takes enormous self-restraint to use time and patience to effect the change they want. I wish them great success, on their own terms. And I wish to hell the U.S would end this arrogant, horrific foreign policy of regime change.

Vickie Patik wrote on June 18, 2011 at 08:15 PM

Good lick and we in the US will show support for you by attending a planned peaceful demonstration in washington dc on Oct 6.

Kevin Cody wrote on June 20, 2011 at 07:46 PM

I am ashamed to say it is no surprise that, given the corruption in Washington DC (and especially the administration that is responsible for the occupation of Iraq), there is corruption there now and from the beginning. I wish the Iraqi people success in their peaceful yet strong campaign for their right to a democratic state with dignity and justice for each and every citizen.

Merilee wrote on June 22, 2011 at 02:18 PM