By Charlie Miller and Aaron T. Rose
A series of marches are planned to depart from both Nahda Square and Rabaa Al-Adaweya after taraweeh (Ramadan late night prayers) prayers, and would head to a number of squares in the surrounding area, Muslim Brotherhood leading figure and vice chairman of the Freedom and Justice Party, Essam El-Erian told the Daily News Egypt. The marches, he said, would return to the supporters’ stronghold at Dawn prayers, around 3.45am.
After noon prayers on Friday, a total of 17 marches converged on Rabaa Al-Adaweya, El-Erian said. Ten of the marches originated from greater Cairo, with the remainder from the Giza governate, he added.
One of the larger marches departed Ramses Square after noon prayers, and arrived in Rabaa Al-Adaweya a number of hours later. The turnout appeared far less than the desired “million man”, but large numbers of demonstrators took to the streets nonetheless, demanding the return of ousted president Mohamed Morsi.
Demonstrators chanted against Defence Minister General Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi, and shouted slogans pledging their allegiance to ousted president Morsi. “We just want democracy,” one marcher said, adding “We just want to live in peace.”
Once at Rabaa Al-Adaweya, marchers filtered through the makeshift defences; walls constructed from terracotta tiles which were hurriedly erected after the recent clashes with security forces. In the main square, demonstrators chanted in unison against the military rule, demanding the re-instatement of Morsi.
Marches in support of the ousted president took place in the cities of Alexandria and Suez, as well as in a number of other governates. State-owned Al-Ahram reported that clashes erupted in the Sharqiya governate between local residents and pro-Morsi demonstrators.
According to eyewitness reports, Central Security Forces also fired teargas to disperse a pro-Morsi sit-in outside Media City, in 6th October.
