A group of residents were led by Choucri Asmar in “a peaceful demonstration to protect the trees” of his Cairo neighborhood. Egyptian authorities were planning to clear out a large avenue of ficus, acacia and palm trees—part of sweeping urban redevelopment projects that are transforming much of historic Cairo. “It was like a war on green,” Asmar said.

Asmar and other residents of Heliopolis numbered the trees lining Nehru Street, labelling each of them after famous Egyptian figures. Five days later, police took the signs down and Asmar got a warning from security officials.