Cops, activists clash in Tahrir Square face-off
Source: Agencies |
November 20, 2011, Sunday
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POLICE and protesters clashed for control of downtown Cairo's Tahrir Square yesterday, after security forces tried to stop activists from staging a long-term sit-in in the symbolic site.
Protesters attacked a police armored truck, shaking it and pummeling it with rocks. Earlier in the day, Egyptian riot police beat protesters and dismantled a small tent city set up to commemorate revolutionary martyrs.
The clashes occurred after activists camped in the central square overnight following a massive Friday rally. The military tolerates daytime demonstrations in the central square, a symbol of the country's January 25-February 11 uprising that overthrew Hosni Mubarak's regime, but claims that long-term occupation paralyzes the city.
Friday's rally was dominated by Islamists, but the sit-in appeared to be staged mostly by members of left- and liberal-leaning revolutionary youth groups. The number of protesters swelled to nearly 600 people as news of the scuffles spread in the city, and thousands more riot police streamed into Tahrir Square blocking off the entrances and clashing with protesters.
Stubborn protesters played cat-and-mouse with riot police as they were chased outside of the square and into side streets. "We are using side streets to pretend to run errands, but we are just regrouping and going back," said Sahar Abdel-Mohsen, who joined in the protest yesterday, after a call went out on Twitter.
Protesters were chanting anti-security slogans, including, "Riot Police are Thugs and Thieves" and "Down with the Marshal" referring to Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, Egypt's military ruler.
Protesters attacked a police armored truck, shaking it and pummeling it with rocks. Earlier in the day, Egyptian riot police beat protesters and dismantled a small tent city set up to commemorate revolutionary martyrs.
The clashes occurred after activists camped in the central square overnight following a massive Friday rally. The military tolerates daytime demonstrations in the central square, a symbol of the country's January 25-February 11 uprising that overthrew Hosni Mubarak's regime, but claims that long-term occupation paralyzes the city.
Friday's rally was dominated by Islamists, but the sit-in appeared to be staged mostly by members of left- and liberal-leaning revolutionary youth groups. The number of protesters swelled to nearly 600 people as news of the scuffles spread in the city, and thousands more riot police streamed into Tahrir Square blocking off the entrances and clashing with protesters.
Stubborn protesters played cat-and-mouse with riot police as they were chased outside of the square and into side streets. "We are using side streets to pretend to run errands, but we are just regrouping and going back," said Sahar Abdel-Mohsen, who joined in the protest yesterday, after a call went out on Twitter.
Protesters were chanting anti-security slogans, including, "Riot Police are Thugs and Thieves" and "Down with the Marshal" referring to Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, Egypt's military ruler.
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