It's close to 75–hundred miles between Fresno and Cairo. But it seems a lot closer when violence there cancels study abroad for Fresno State students... And a friend just a stones throw from the demonstrations, face books a pal in the Valley.
Ramy Hanna has been keeping an eye on the Internet all day long. His brother is in the tourist trade in Egypt. He says 30 years of Mubarak's rule is enough. "I think he needs to step down at this point so things can calm down. People can go home, go back to their jobs, back to work so we can get Egypt back on track."
Fresno State Anthropology Professor James Mullooly lived in Cairo 15 years ago. But his friends are still there. "Where this will all go is very scary. I'm sure it's much more scary for Egyptians like my friend Gaby. It's so unusual."
Professor Mullooly says President Mubarak's speech offered so little. "Maybe he is on his way out but he doesn't want to admit defeat. That's my ideal interpretation of his speech. The feeling of his speech didn't really seem like a resignation speech," Mullooly said.
Fresno State Junior Jolene Millar thought she was going to Egypt in April to study art and architecture. Her parents put their foot down. "I really wanted to go but you know there's a lot of uncertainty. I stick out in a foreign country. So it's just not a good idea with everything that's going on," Millar said.
Jolene can take comfort in knowing that no one is going on the study abroad trip. The Chancellor's office has canceled all Cal State University trips destined for Egypt.