Thousands of people protested in Port Said on Saturday to demand separation from the state of Egypt. The protesters chanted for a Port Said state and against Al Ahly sports club and Ultras Ahlawy.
Last December, several governorates claimed independence from Egypt.
Hundreds of protesters have surrounded the Office of Al-Mahala City Council, declaring the illegitimacy of President Morsy, the independence of Al-Mahala from the current regime and the establishment of an executive council. The railway was suspended and chants against the Muslim Brotherhood were heard all around the city. Clashes between protesters, some of whom who tried to burn down FJP buildings, resulted in hundreds of injuries according to reports.
In Alexandria the municipal council building was occupied by protesters who declared independence from the “Brotherhood regime” before they were attacked and dragged out of the building. In Suez, protesters have climbed the governorate building, raising the Suez flag and declaring the fall of the governor and the Morsy regime.
Last October Domiat witnessed a protest in front of the city council building, by protesters who announced the separation of Sarw City from the governorate.
Lawyer Malek Adly from the Egyptian Centre for Economic and Social Rights stated that although these attempts do not have any real effect, they should not be ignored.
Adly said: “The attempts from governorates to declare independence give a message that people do not trust the central authority appointed by President Morsy. One of the revolutions’ demands was to have the governorates elected not appointed by the president.”
Gamal Eid, Human Rights lawyer at Arabic Network for Human Rights Information, indicated that this phenomenon is considered a sign of the absence of democracy and the deterioration of public services.
Eid said: “If these attempts continue to be ignored and taken slightly, they might reach a higher level, as in the 2008 Al-Mahala riots.”
