Thursday, January 27, 2011

Public Noose Tightens Around Mubarak


By Emad Mekay

"CAIRO, Jan 26, 2011 (IPS) - Demonstrations calling for the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt continued for the second day in several Egyptian cities with police cracking down violently, a development that many analysts here say reflects the nervousness of the regime.

At least four people have died so far, 600 have been arrested and many more injured. Protests are flaring up in Cairo, 6th of October City, Suez, Mahal El- Kubra and Alexandria.

"Young people are standing in the way of heavily armed armoured vehicles and stopping them. People are genuinely frustrated," Khaled Al-Balashy, editor-in-chief of Al-Badil newspaper told IPS.

"That was the first time I see people literally sacrificing their lives in face of police brutality," Al-Balashy said. "They think nothing worse could happen to them. This is unprecedented. And the changes will be equally unprecedented. It is a matter of time.".....

Several women journalists were beaten by the police and were seen crying in pain. Many were seen yelling at officers who had used clubs against women reporters.

"These protests may not bring immediate or quick results," said Qutb Al- Arabi, an activist with the Egyptian Press Syndicate. "But it is a message to the government that we are truly fed up."

Al-Arabi said he was demonstrating with other journalists initially for greater press freedoms, but as the police cracked down with violence, the demands have now shifted to request the departure of 82-year old President Hosni Mubarak who has ruled Egypt since 1981.....

But all analysts agree on one thing; the emergence of a new generation of young Egyptians who are more combative and who are not afraid of the police - who are capable of bringing about more change than previously thought."

No comments: