Protests to Mark Anniversary of Revolution: Egypt

Local Editor

Political parties and movements - both Islamist and non-Islamist - are to hold rallies and marches for the second anniversary of Egypt's 25 January Revolution on Friday.
Friday's rallies are scheduled to begin immediately following noon prayers. Several marches will set out for Tahrir Square from different areas of Cairo and Giza, including Helwan, Shubra, Al-Zawaya, Imbaba and Mohandeseen's Mostafa Mahmoud Square. Another march has also been planned from points in Cairo to the Presidential Palace, according to Ahram Online.

Among the parties and groups participating in Friday's planned demonstrations are the Constitution Party, the Egyptian Popular Current, the Socialist Popular Alliance, the Free Egyptians party, the Revolutionary Socialists and the Maspero Youth Coalition.

The April 6 Youth Movement (Ahmed Maher Front) demanded the amendment of Egypt's new constitution and the implementation of electoral promises made to liberal forces by President Mohammad Mursi.
On the other hand, The Muslim Brotherhood declared that they would refrain from taking part in celebrations or protests, but planned on launching a campaign from 24 January to 5 February aimed at providing free healthcare and public sanitation services.

The opposition National Salvation Front announced that Friday's rallies are to be held to protest the Egyptian President's policies rather than to force him to step down.

On another note, Egyptian police clashed with protesters in Cairo on Thursday on the eve of the uprising's anniversary, who tried to dismantle a security barrier and called for the fall of President Mohammad Mursi.
Some demonstrators hurled rocks at riot police positioned a few dozen meters on the other side of the wall, who responded with tear gas grenades.

Source: News Agencies, edited by moqawama.org