Ever since disgruntled Americans declared themselves the 99 % and occupied Wall Street , their protests have been compared to those in the squares of the Middle East and North Africa -- especially Cairo 's Tahrir Square — where pro-democracy demonstrations challenged decades of tyrannical power . The movements in New York and Cairo share some characteristics , but direct comparisons between them discredit Arabs ' tremendous struggles and sacrifices and squeeze the Occupy movement into a framework that does not fit . I had the fortunate opportunity to cover Egypt 's mass protests in Tahrir Square and New Yorkers ' takeover of Zuccotti Park and can say confidently that the two movements differ in many ways . It is true that New York City 's Zuccotti Park -- like Tahrir Square -- has been enclosed by barricades and surrounded by police . Like the Egyptians , New York 's protesters are determined to push forward their demands , especially through the use of social media . They 're staying put 24 hours a day , defying the orders of authorities ; they 're creating medical and media corners , arts projects and musical performances and debating strategies . Some Egyptian activists have even advised protesters on Wall Street . However , Occupy Wall Street is no Tahrir Square . In Egypt , demands were clear : President Hosni Mubarak had to go . Even after the 30-year president stepped down , demands remained focused on the regime . Protesters called for Mubarak and high-ranking officials to be held accountable , for a new constitution written by the people , for the military to hand over power to a civilian rule and for free and fair elections . The Occupy movement has clear frustrations with corporate greed , unregulated banks and the housing crisis . Protesters are disappointed in President Obama and his administration for bailing out the banks and `` not the people . '' They have dozens of other grievances and continue to debate strategy and priority . But these demands do not call for clear solutions . Unlike Egypt , where removing a decades-long presidency was a major success , in the United States , there are n't any high-profile figures to remove that will satisfy the protesters , not even temporarily . Not one Occupy Wall Street protester is risking his or her life to publicly proclaim their demands . In New York , police resorted to pepper spray and clubbings ; in Oakland , California , police sprayed tear gas and are seen in videos apparently throwing stun grenades . Protesters display serious wounds they say were inflicted by rubber bullets . But even that excessive force can not compare to the threat demonstrators in the Middle East and North Africa faced for displaying their dissatisfaction . Under the guise of emergency law , Egyptian police were given legal backing to crush peaceful protests . During the first 18 days of the Egyptian revolution , police and other state security organizations killed at least 840 people and injured thousands , according to Amnesty International . Protesters knew that they could die demanding democracy . It was a sacrifice they were willing to make , one that Americans have not had to consider . In stark contrast , protesters in New York consider rank-and-file police officers to be members of the 99 % . In Egypt , the police forces were following direct orders from the leaders who were seen as the enemy . New York 's protesters can not make that same link between N.Y.P.D . officers and the banks ' billionaire CEOs . At times , protesters have marched to local Bank of America and Chase branches , but even then , they are not directing their frustrations toward bank employees , who they also see as members of the `` bottom 99 . '' Blaming the banks is rather new in the U.S. , while in Egypt ; dissatisfaction with Mubarak and the previous presidents has always existed . Many Americans have been hurt by the economy . Unemployment and homelessness remains high , and more than 1 million people lost their homes in 2010 . This has created poverty in the United States , but nothing like Egypt 's . Roughly 40 % of all Egyptians live on less than $ 2 a day and have lived this way for a long time . The Egyptians ' sense of having nothing to lose in the fight for change far eclipses that feeling in the U.S . The anti-bank movements have spread , but unless more Americans believe they too have nothing to lose , the protests can lose steam and fail at convincing the majority of Americans that the movement represents them . Winter months are approaching . Snow , winds and below-freezing temperatures will not skip Liberty Square . The will of the protesters will be tested in a way Arab revolutions had n't dealt with . America 's protesters found inspiration from Arab uprisings , but their needs and desires are distinct from those striving for change half a world away . Occupy Wall Street will grow and succeed on its own merits .
Ehab Zahriyeh : Occupy likened to Egypt , but this overlooks Arabs ' extreme sacrifices . Similarities in use of social media , he says , in camps and defiance of authorities . Zahriyeh : Occupy Wall Street will grow and succeed on its own merits . Police used violence in U.S. protests , he writes , but hundreds of Egyptians died .