Unrest Simmers as Egypt Awaits Change (REPORT)

by Nejeed Kassam and Alesha Porisky

(Cairo, Egypt - HN, July 4, 2011) -- The sound of rocks hitting the pavement reverberated off the walls of the Egyptian museum.  Voices were loud and horns blaring, even more than usual for Cairo’s busy streets. The change in the usual Cairo drone brought us to the balcony, overlooking Merit Basha Street, mere meters from the square.

PHOTO CREDIT: Alesha Porisky 7/3/2011

The street had mysteriously emptied of cars, and those on the far side towards the bridge were making u-turns as fast as possible.  Young revolutionaries surged forward from the square, carrying rocks, sharpened sticks and crates; the Egyptian flag tied around many a neck.  Their targets, we later learned, were Mubarak supporters, who tried to stand their ground.  Rocks were being tossed by both sides; chunks of concrete breaking on the pavement.  Crates were being used as shields; words were another weapon of choice. 

After a brief skirmish, the two sides separated.  The Mubarak supporters disappearing, as the revolutionaries made their way back to Tahrir Square, supporting a man who was bleeding heavily from the head and limping.  It was clear, even from five stories up, that neither side had gotten away without injuries. 

PHOTO CREDIT: Alesha Porisky 7/3/2011

Since Friday various political activist groups have been staging a sit-in in Tahrir Square; waiting.  This afternoon violence erupted when Mubarak supporters reportedly set fire to protestors’ tents.  When we ventured down to Tahrir Square, the smell of smoke hung thickly in the air.  The number of protestors had grown substantially since the morning, and tensions were high.  People lined the traffic barricades surrounding the square, watching with anticipation as protestors chanted in demonstration.

PHOTO CREDIT: Alesha Porisky 7/3/2011

When we interviewed a local student and self-proclaimed revolutionary he speculated that tensions would remain high over the next few hours, as both Mubarak supporters and the revolutionaries remained in the surrounding areas.  He estimated that close to a million people would show up on July 8^th, for the planned citywide protest.