EGYPT: Everything seems possible in “Second Day of Rage” -27TH MAY

[freepalestine]

Everything seems possible in “Second Day of Rage”

Marches in Cairo, Alexandria and Suez and a sit-in in Tahrir are among activists' plans for tomorrow's day of rage


Ekram Ibrahim , Thursday 26 May 2011




Believing that Egypt has not witnessed revolutionary change, many Egyptian activists and revolutionaries are calling for a “Second Day of Rage” (referring to the first on 28 January) tomorrow at Tahrir square. “I haven’t felt the change; I’m heading to Tahrir,” repeated several activists on social media sites calling for the protest.

Some political forces announced their participation, other refused to take part and very few of those attending agree on the specific demands. The main callers for the Second Day of Rage remain unknown.
Activism criticizing the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) heated up this week as Egyptian bloggers organized a blogging day on 23 May against the SCAF in which more than 375 bloggers participated.


Many of the leading activist groups, including the 6 April Youth movement, the Coalition of Revolutionary Youth, Al-Masry Al-Hurr, ElBaradei Campaign, the Egyptian movement for change, the Maspero Copts movement, the Muslim Brotherhood Youth wing and expected presidential candidate Bothaina Kamel have all announced their intention to take part.
Moreover, on the Second Anger Egyptian Revolution Facebook page which is calling for tomorrow’s protest, 27,000 thousand confirmed their participation, five thousand indicated they may be attending and 18 thousand said they would not attend, by the time this article was published. The anonymous group announced they were collecting money to set up a stage in Tahrir square tomorrow so their identity will be revealed then.

The 6 April Youth movement was the first group to call on the Egyptian people to take to the streets, to “put pressure on the SCAF” to ensure the prosecution of former president Hosni Mubarak and other senior officials of his regime.


There is no one demand that unites all participants, but the chief ones are: replacing the military council with a presidential one that would rule the country until the coming elections, designing a new constitution before parliamentary elections, holding former regime figures and above all ousted president Hosni Mubarak accountable through prompt fair trials, releasing all political detainees arrested in the last three months by military police, ending the trials of civilians in military courts, abolishing the emergency law, and lifting censorship from state-owned media.

Regarding the plan for the day, the Coalition of Revolutionary Youth call the day “Friday of political corruption” to begin after Friday prayers at 1p.m. and end by 6p.m. However, 6 April movement and other independent activists are calling for a sit-in ending only when all demands are met.

Meanwhile, the Muslim Brotherhood and other less influential political groups refuse to take part in the protest. Among those groups are Free Egypt Coalition, Egypt Protesters Coalition, The Egyptian Awareness Coalition, Field Rescue Committee, Islamic Group and Tahrir Youth Party.
A statement released by the MB on the 27 May protest asked: “The Muslim Brotherhood group is very worried about Friday protests and we ask to whom is this anger directed now?”

The statement says the group sees these protests as either a revolution against the majority of the Egyptian people or a dispute between the Egyptian people and the military represented by the Supreme Council of Armed Forces (SCAF). They asked Egyptian people to stop this.
The call for the protest was also rejected by many Salafist groups on Facebook who described the invitation as “a call for incitement and for sabotaging the country.”


For its part, the SCAF used several tactics to prevent people from joining the protest, from sending ousted president Mubarak and his two sons to criminal court, releasing statements on Facebook saying suspicious elements were asking people to protest and playing on the relationship between the people and the army, and finally yesterday arresting activists leafleting about the 27 May protests.

In response to the SCAF statement (56) on Facebook, the Second Anger Egyptian Revolution Facebook group announced they would organize popular committees to protect Egyptian buildings as hospitals and police stations. “We are neither vandals nor suspicious elements; we are creating popular committees to protect the country,” according to their statement on Facebook.

Four activists were arrested yesterday and today while leafleting for the second day of rage. Activists were sent to military police, making people more angry and determined to participate in tomorrow’s protest. “Detaining activists leafleting for protests is similar to what used to take place during Mubarak’s era,” read a press statement issued by the 6 April movement commenting on the arrest of one of its members Wednesday while leafleting for 27 May.


Moreover, Facebook groups opposed to tomorrow’s protests (such as “we are all against second rage”) say protesters should respect the people’s vote against a presidential council, referring to the constitutional referendum on 19 March in which 77.2 per cent of Egyptians voted.
Outside Cairo, some governorates appear ready for Friday’s protest but for different reasons. In Alexandria, youth movements are going to protest for the sacking of the new governor and call for holding the police officers involved in killing protesters during the 25 January Revolution accountable.
In some governorates demands will be focused on dissolving local municipal councils dominated by former ruling National Democratic Party members.

In Suez the organizers of the protests say they will have shields to protect their march which they expect to be the biggest since the ouster of Mubarak. Other popular committees have been formed to protect public properties.
It is not clear how big the demonstrations will be this Friday but both supporters and detractors agree it will not be just another Friday march.






http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/12998/Egypt/Politics-/Everything-seems-possible-in-%E2%80%9CSecond-Day-of-Rage%E2%80%9D-.aspx


Related:

Egypt: Back to Tahrir, but for what? (http://www.revleft.com/NewsContent/1/0/12925/Egypt/0/Egypt-Back-to-Tahrir,-but-for-what.aspx)

Three artists arrested for promoting May 27 protests (http://www.revleft.com/NewsContent/1/0/12982/Egypt/0/Three-artists-arrested-for-promoting-May--protests.aspx)

April 6 Movement asks government and armed forces to secure streets tomorrow (http://www.revleft.com/NewsContent/1/0/12985/Egypt/0/April--Movement-asks-government-and-armed-forces-t.aspx)

Egyptians should respect anti-protest law, says army official (http://www.revleft.com/NewsContent/1/0/13005/Egypt/0/Egyptians-should-respect-antiprotest-law,-says-arm.aspx)

Al Jamaa El Islamiya slam tomorrow's mass protests (http://www.revleft.com/NewsContent/1/0/13002/Egypt/0/Al-Jamaa-El-Islamiya-slam-tomorrows-mass-protests-.aspx)

"We will not fire even one bullet at the proesters," SCAF (http://www.revleft.com/NewsContent/1/0/13019/Egypt/0/We-will-not-fire-even-one-bullet-at-the-proesters,.aspx)

Mubarak knew of "every bullet fired", says Omar Suleiman (http://www.revleft.com/NewsContent/1/0/13021/Egypt/0/Mubarak-knew-of-every-bullet-fired,-says-Omar-Sule.aspx)

[freepalestine]

LIVE UPDATES: Egypt's second day of rage


Follow the events as they happen today in Tahrir Square and around Egypt as protesters take to the streets



Ahram Online , Friday 27 May 2011


Gallery
http://english.ahram.org.eg/Media/News/2011/5/27/2011-634421023572095950-209.jpg


17:10 In the Northern Cairo district of Nasr City, less than a hundred people are demonstrating in support of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces. They are demanding that the military council remains in power until a president is elected, and that the media is monitored and censored to prevent false news being circulated. More notable is their request that the curfew starts at midnight rather than 2am and that anyone who breaks it is tried by a military court. The demonstration was planned by the Stability Youth Movement, Egypt Stability Movement, The Silent Majority Movement and the Straightening the Path Movement. We haven't heard of them before either.

16:55 Fireworks and flares are illuminating the day sky above Tahrir. The day of rage has become one of celebration.

16:37 Thugs attacked the Popular Aliance stage as Ibrahim El-Eissawy, one of the party's leaders, was speaking. The attack was thwarted by Maspero Revolutionaries, a group formed to defend the rights of Copts in the wake of recent sectarian attacks in Egypt. The assailants were removed from the square.

16:15 Our correspondent in Tahrir has called in with some other chants filling the air. "Execution, execution for Mubarak," those wanting a speedy trial for the ousted president are shouting. "Down, down with the prosecutor-general," is another one reflecting either his lack of credibilty after watching on as the former regime wore the country down or impatience with the slow pace of due process now that he is actually doing his job.

16:05 With the day entering a bit of a lull, here is an interview (http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/13054.aspx) published today with former Muslim Brotherhood parliamentarian Sobhi Saleh in which he explains why the group boycotted today’s protests. Saleh points to the lack of clarity over who called for the protests while also expressing surprise at the criticism directed at the ruling military council. The way forward from here, Salah says, "is to honour the national consensus that was reflected in the [March] referendum on the constitutional amendments."
Salah, who was MP for the Raml district of Alexandria until last November's voided elections, was part of the committee which drafted the amendments approved by 77 per cent of voters by referendum.

15:50 Rami Esam, also known as the revolution's singer, is singing now on the main stage. Hundreds of protesters are singing along in unison "one, two were are the Arab armies?" Esam was arrested and allegedly tortured by the military police in March as the Army cracked down on a sit-in in Tahrir Square.

15:45 Thoughts extend beyond Egypt in Tahrir with the flags of Palestine, Syria and Yemen being waved.

15:30 It's drizzling in Tahrir now, providing protesters with some rare relief from the dusty heat in a Cairo summer day. Some fanatics had labelled anyone who attended today's protests as "infidels".

15:10 Across Egypt, people are out demonstrating on this second day of rage. In Fayoum, thousands are in El-Sakia Square in solidarity with the protesters in Tahrir.
Meanwhile in Suez and Alexandria, tens of thousands are marching through the streets. Women are throwing water at those marching in Port Said Street in Alexandria. But it's ok, it's mineral water and they're thirsty.
It's to the squares in Luxor and Aswan where protests are being held in Abu Haggag Square and Shuhada Square respectively.

15:10 "Where is the Brotherhood, Tahrir is here," the protesters chant. In this "second day of rage", it isn't just the incumbent authority that is being challenged.

15:05 Political analyst and rising star Amr Hamzawy, founder of the Freedom Egypt Party, used his time on the stage in Tahrir to demand the drafting of a new constitution that guarantees a civil state and the postponement of elections.

14:50 In Tahrir, one of those "suspicious elements" the military council warned of attempted to storm the National Association for Change's stage brandishing a sword. Demonstrators were able to seize him and remove him from the square.

14:45 Members of the Muslim Brotherhood in Suez have reportedly violated orders by their Supreme Guide to boycott the protests and joined the protesters in the city's Arbeen Square. The "rebel" Brothers included women, children and Ahmed Mahmoud, one of the Brotherhood's leading figures in Suez, and were met with cheers and chants of "the people of Suez are one hand.”

14:35 Over in the Red Sea resort town of Sharm El-Sheikh, around 300 members of the January 25 Youth Coalition have taken the protest to ousted president Hosni Mubarak. They are demonstrating outside the International Hospital where he has been detained since 13 April. The protesters are demanding that Mubarak is transferred to Tora Prison while he awaits trial on charges ranging from killing protesters to illegally accumulating his wealth..

14:28 Our correspondent in the square reports that the crowd has swollen to around 100,000 with hundreds still pouring in over the Kasr El-Nil bridge from Giza and Dokki.

14:20 Some protesters have begun chanting against the Muslim Brotherhood in Tahrir Square. "Revolutionaries are here, where is the Brotherhood?" the crowds shout pointedly.
The Brotherhood had announced earlier in the week that they will not join today’s protests, which they said will only create tension between the people and the armed forces. Since Mubarak stepped down on 11 February, the Brotherhood have lost all the goodwill they gained among protesters for their role, if belated, in the revolution. Stunts like using religion to push the "yes" vote in the constitutional referendum and distancing themselves with the ongoing protests calling for the remainder of the revolution's demands have portrayed the group as opportunists.

14:15 Prominent Egyptian blogger Sandmonkey sums up, as ever, what the day has shown so far. “I believe today has proven that we don't need the Muslim Brotherhood to turn out big crowds," he writes on Twitter from Tahrir.

14:05 The families of the martyrs of the January 25 Revolution are now in Tahrir Square. Earlier today, during the Friday sermon, Sheikh Mazhar Shaheen said that the martyrs of the revolution should be viewed with the same respect as those who were martyred during the 1973 war with Israel and their families should receive pensions. During his speech earlier in the day, Judge Zakaria Abdel Aziz told the crowd that Egypt should hire special judges to preside over cases where the suspects are accused of killing protesters.

14:00 A mass demonstration has now erupted outside the governorate’s headquarters in the delta city of Mansoura.

13:50 In Suez, which witnessed the most intense protests and bloody crackdown in the early days after 25 January, protesters have gathered in Arbeen Square. Banners in the square read: “Don’t try scaring us, we are not afraid.” The army and military police are no where to be seen, leading some shopkeepers to close their shops.

13:35 With the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces saying it won't interfere with today's protests, the intense heat was the biggest worry. So far it seems that behind a heavy sky, the sun has also not shown up.

13:32 Meanwhile up in Alexandria, tens of thousands are proteseting outside the El-Qaed Ibrahim Mosque calling for the same demands as those ringing round Tahrir Square.

13:30 On the main stage in Tahrir, prominent Judge Zakaria Abdel Aziz says there is not going to be any stability in the country unless the security choas is controlled. Karima Hefnawy, a senior member of Kefaya, asks why did the media try to scare people for the past three days from the protests in Tahrir Square. She goes on to ask who is responsible for the security vacuum in Egypt, adding that apologies from those who killed the people will not be accepted.

13:20 Away from Tahrir Square, a counter-protest has erupted in front of the famous Hussein Mosque in support of the Supreme Council of Armed Forces.

13:10 A march of a couple hundred has set off from the Mustafa Mahmoud Mosque in Mohandesin towards Tahrir Square chanting slogans that slam the slow trial of Mubarak and the symbols of the old regime. As with 28 January, Egypt's original day of rage, protesters are planning to converge on Tahrir from several meeting points after Friday paryers. Unlike that historic day, there movement is not being restricted by security forces. Without such opposition, it has been hard until now for anyone to predict how this day will unfold.

13:00 Our correspondent in the square reports that although there are lots of people, it's not yet packed. With lots of people waving flags and vendors ringing the fringes, "it's a bit of a carnival atmosphere."
On one of the stages, Mohamed Abbas of the January 25 Youth Coalition is calling for the speedy trial of Mubarak and all members of the old regime.

12:55 The January 25 Youth Coalition are chanting the “people and the army are one hand,” insisting that the army is not just the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces.

12:50 Friday prayers have just finished and protesters are waving Egyptian flags and chanting “raise your head up high, you're Egyptian.”

12:30 During the sermon, the preacher slammed statements issued by groups opposing today’s protest that went as far as labelling protesters “seculars and intruders.” The Imam also talked about the importance of protecting national unity and wondered out loud why there is no police protecting protests. “Where is the police today?” the Sheikh asked. “Their role is to protect the nation.”
Yesterday, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces announced that not only will it allow the protests to go ahead, there will be no army presence whatsoever. This came straight after they warned of "suspicious elements" threatening the safety of protesters. Two hands in one pocket.

12:00 As Friday prayers start in Tahrir, here's why a second day of rage (http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/12925.aspx) has been called for and why not everyone is convinced by it.
Banners hung all over Tahrir Square spell out those demands. One banner says: “The people demand that the duties of the National Security apparatus are laid out and that it does not work to torture or arrest people.” Another banner, hung by the Front for the Purification of the Egyptian media, has a photo of a hung Mubarak and a black list of all the editors of national papers. Another banner calls for the removal and trial of Ahmed Fadel, head of the Suez Canal Authority, while another calls for the removal of Deputy Prime Minister Yehia El-Gamal.

11:35 Protesters in Tahrir are demanding that deputy Prime Minister Yehia El-Gamal is removed from his position, that there is judicial supervision on the newly formed National Security Apparatus and that all governors, university presidents and university deans are changed.

11:30 According to Shorouk News protesters have decided to end their protest at 6pm today.

11:20 Copts are now reading verses from the Bible and singing hymns on one of the stages

11:00 About 4,000 people have already gathered in Tahrir Square to kick off the “Second Day of Rage.” Four stages have already been set up. One of the stages is set up for the countries upcoming liberal parties including Free Egyptians Party, the Democratic Front Party, the Social Democratic Party, and Freedom Egypt. Prominent members of each party are expected to speak to the crowd today including Amr Hamzawy, Osama Ghazali Harb, Ehab El Kharat, Ziad El Elimy and Esraa Abdel Fatah.

08:30 Ahram Online's Mohamed El Hebieshy was in the square from 8 and wrote this (http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/13036.aspx)about the mood as thousands gathered in anticipation of today.


links etc : http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/13042/Egypt/Politics-/LIVE-UPDATES-Egypts-second-day-of-rage.aspx

[Cleansing Conspiratorial Revolutionary Flame]

Under the right conditions, a Second Arab Revolt and Unification can flourish and oust both the Bourgeois and Imperialism.