Protesters march to Egypt's defense ministry despite roadblocks

CAIRO: Thousands of protesters joined marches around Cairo heading to the Ministry of Defense on Friday, taking several detours around roadblocks set up by military police.

Dubbed “Departure Friday,” thousands of protesters marched from different points around the capital, eventually converging around 100 meters away from the ministry, as close as they could get with most of the roads leading directly to the ministry blocked.

Chanting against the ruling military council and demanding it hand over power, protesters were surprised to be met with a military brass band playing the national anthem. They chanted louder to drown out the sound of the music, “down with military rule.”

In Alexandria, an activist was assaulted and handed over to the military base in Ras El-Teen during a march calling for an end to military rule, according to a statement published on the Revolutionary Socialists website.

Sameh Naguib along with activists Haitham Mohamadein and Ahmed Mamdouh were assaulted by thugs, after which only Naguib was handed over to the military, lawyer Ahmed Ezzat wrote on his Twitter account. He was reportedly released later in the evening.

Exactly one year after Hosni Mubarak stepped down, activists say their main grievances remain unaddressed and are embarking on a general strike starting Feb. 11, which may escalate into a state of civil disobedience.

Following Friday prayers in Cairo, protesters organized in marches en route to the ministry from Youssef Al Sahabi Mosque in Heliopolis, Rabaa Al-Adaweya Mosque in Nasr City, Cleopatra Church in Heliopolis as well as from Matareyah and Alf Maskan squares.

Hundreds took off from Al-Fath Mosque in Ramses and numbers quickly swelled into the thousands as they walked and were joined by other marches.

Protesters chanted “The people want to topple the regime,” “We live as free citizens or die as revolutionaries” and “The Field Marshal imprisoned our sons” as they called upon onlookers to join.

A march passed near the home of Mohamed Khaled, one of the martyrs of the Feb. 1 Port Said football tragedy, which left 71 dead. His family looked on from their home and chanted tearfully along with protesters who marched under their balcony.

“The military council must hand over power immediately,” Mohamed Mostafa, a computer programmer, told Daily News Egypt.

“Presidential elections must not take place under the council’s supervision. If the council members were officially involved in the presidential elections process, they will pick a president who serves their interests and covers up their crimes” Mostafa added.

“The elections should be held under judicial supervision or an elected presidential committee,” he said.

When approaching Abbaseya square, protesters diverted from their planned route after receiving information of possible attacks by thugs and army supporters ahead.

“The transfer to civilian rule is the only means for restoring the Egyptian economy and stability,” said Ihab Alshimy, an architect.

“According to the Egyptian constitution, power should be handed over to the head of the parliament…until presidential elections,” he said.

Many of Egypt’s university student unions, political movements and revolutionary coalitions have called for a general strike on Feb. 11 that would be escalated to civil disobedience if their demands are not met.

Their aim is to achieve the objectives of the Jan. 25 revolution, end military rule, hand over power to civilians, end the military trials of civilians, and demand the acceleration of trials of the figures of the former regime and those responsible for the killing of demonstrators.

However, some disagree with the plan. “I am afraid that the mass Egyptian mentality is not yet ready for the concept of civil disobedience which may lead to negative sentiment toward protesters,” said Shady Shokry, a freelance translator.

The majority of protesters disagreed. “The losses that might be incurred amid a general civil disobedience are negligible compared to those incurred under military rule,” said Shady Mohamed. –Additional reporting by Safaa Abdoun