Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Tunisia-Like Riots Are Breaking Out In Egypt

Anti corruption protests in Egypt have turned violent, reminding everyone of Tunisia.

More than 90,000 Egyptians agreed on Facebook to turn out for a "day of revolution" to mark Police Day, a national holiday. Hundreds of thousands turned out for the protests around the country.

Then the riots turned violent in Cairo, according to the NYT:

The officers formed a moving cordon around the demonstration and there were scuffles as the officers tried to halt the march by linking arms and forming lines. One woman was injured when the officers pushed protesters against a wall near an on-ramp leading to a bridge over the River Nile. But the demonstrators quickly escaped the cordon and marched down the riverside Corniche, snarling traffic.

Now police have started firing tear gas into the crowd.


TONIGHT IN Egypt

Police fire tear gas canisters at the crowds


Police are dressed in riot gear, armed with tear gas

A protesters prays with tear gas everywhere

Protesters in Tahrir square

Police fire water at the crowds

Protesters are pushing back a police truck, despite the tear gas

Police throw rocks at protesters

Protesters call on soldiers to join them

Protesters chant about the demonstrations taking place across Egypt

A brief respite for Call To Prayer

Protesters claim on facebook: "Tahrir Square is now COMPLETELY ours. Egyptian Police now is only worried about protecting their head quarters: Ministry of interior."


Is this riot related to soaring food prices?