Tahrir Square, June 28 Post-Script

Yesterday's clashes in Tahrir square were covered here at WHR as breaking news.  A more complete picture of the context and extent of the situation has emerged.

As mentioned in the previous report, the protest began in Cairo as a peaceful demonstration and public mourning by the families of those who have died in the cause of liberating Egypt.  An air of gravity was upon the demonstrators and the martyrs's families as they paid their respects to the coffin of a recent victim, Mahmoud Khaled, who died on Monday.  He passed in hospital, where he has been for 5 months, since he was struck by a racing US Embassy vehicle during the height of unrest on January 28, remembered in Egypt as the "day of rage."  The astonishing incident can be seen in the following video, taken from a rooftop directly above the scene:

The rage the families and friends feel about the fate of their loved ones is understandable.  That they have not received any justice after a "successful" revolution and "policy reforms" by a "transitional phase" government only amplifies their anguish and personal feeling of victimization.  In the above mentioned case, the US Embassy insists the vehicle was stolen, however; Egyptians more and more look upon the foreign and local elites who run their country for their own purposes as one and the same.  Protesters understand well that the storm troopers attacking them in Tahrir square, while perhaps Egyptian by birth, do so with American made tear-gas and foreign weapons, employed through tactics taught by foreign security firms, paid for by foreign "aid" money.

Tear Gas Canister fired at demonstrators - by lilianwagdy

While paying their respects to and demanding justice for the martyrs, demonstrators were met by insults and denied free movement by members of the Central Security Forces.  They were tear gassed and tased.  It likely did not escape many demonstrators that among the CSF members sneering at them could be some of those who are directly responsible for the deaths and maiming of their friends and family members. Nor did it likely escape the CSF that should demonstrators succeed in reforming Egypt, they will find themselves out of job and pay, and possibly on trial for their actions. 

As word of the indignity being paid the demonstrating families began to spread, more and more people began to arrive in front of the Ministry of the Interior and in Tahrir to vent their outrage.  Running and pitched battles in the square and adjacent streets ensued as the CSF attacked the crowds; these battles lasting from before dusk until after dawn this morning.  Many people on the scene have reported on twitter a vengeful attitude by the CSF.  While protesters were pelted with stones and tear gas, they were also taunted and threatened with death over megaphones.  Today it has been reported by Egyptian authorities that more than 1000 demonstrators were injured, and more than 100 hospitalised.

Egyptian activists are calling for justice.  There have been protests specifically against the military courts, which since the fall of Hosni Mubarak continue to condemn protesters, activists, journalists, bloggers, artists and even doctors who have aided or simply spoken in favour of the uprising.  Activists say that without a proper functioning legal system and means of redress, no progress in any other aspect can be made or maintained. The nation will be transfixed tomorrow, Thursday June 30th, as a verdict is delivered in the trial of the 2 officers charged for the infamous beating death of Khaled Said.

The murder of Khaled Said is said to be one of the catalysts of the revolution.  The story and pictures of his body circulated and created outrage after he arrested in an Internet cafe and murdered by police in June of 2010.  The lack of justice for Mr. Said helped compound an ever present anger at authorities, which finally broke loose after Egyptians took the example of the Tunisian revolution.  A facebook group called "We are all Khaled Said" has galvanised and informed the public throughout the revolution.  It is reasonable to expect massive demonstrations in light of last night's unrest if Egyptian courts do not return a verdict finding someone responsible for his murder while in police custody.  This will likely continue into Friday, which is the day of Muslim prayer and the typical day for protests as many Egyptians do not work Fridays.

Egypt is once again on the precipice.


This post is a follow-up on yesterday's coverage, read here:
http://worldheadlinesreview.blogspot.com/2011/06/tahrir-square-tantawi-picks-up-where.html

Wikipedia article about Khaled Said:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Khaled_Mohamed_Saeed


We are all Khaled Said facebook group:
http://www.facebook.com/elshaheeed.co.uk

June 28th, Tahrir Square in Pictures:
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/06/201162915192350772.html

Description of June 28th events by Egyptian activist:
http://theangryegyptian.wordpress.com/2011/06/29/june28-the-second-coming-of-rage/