Tens of thousands of people took to the streets across Egypt yesterday to defend the uprising that toppled President Hosni Mubarak, directing their anger at the new military rulers over the slow pace of reform.
In the capital, flag-waving protesters packed Tahrir Square, epicentre of the protests that ousted Mr Mubarak in February, after a mass weekly Muslim prayer service.
An Egyptian man, who fired shots in the air and protesters said was a “hired thug” loyal to the former regime, was seen laying at the back of a military vehicle after he was beaten up and arrested by protesters in the canal city of Suez, yesterday.
In a sermon, Sheikh Mazhar Shahin urged protesters to “keep working to achieve the honourable goals of the revolution which are ‘change, freedom and social justice’.”
He called for a “strong government able to fulfill the demands of the people who revolted for a dignified life.”
Tents were pitched in the middle of the square, and a large sun shade provided relief from the scorching sun and temperatures of 37 degrees Celsius. “Our revolution continues,” read one banner.
Holding a large sign, one man complained: “We haven’t felt any change. We removed Mr Mubarak and got a field marshal.”
He was referring to Hussein Tantawi, head of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces which took power in February and has vowed to pave the way for a democratic system.
But the armed forces, hailed as heroes at the start of the uprising for not siding with Mr Mubarak, have come under fire from local and international rights groups for alleged abuses.
“The revolution has brought some freedom, but we need more,” said Mohammed al-Sayed, 20, a student at Cairo University.
“Nothing has changed,” said Mohammed Abul Makarem, 18. “Change takes time, but there are reforms we can do now.”
Former Arab League chief and presidential hopeful Amr Mussa joined the mass protests, telling demonstrators he supported their “legitimate demands of speeding up the trial of the former president,” who is due to face trial on August 3.
Pro-democracy groups who called for the protest were in charge of security at the entrances to Tahrir, searching anyone heading into the square and demanding to see two forms of identification.