In Tahrir Square, Egyptian protesters think the unthinkable – victory

Demonstrators in Cairo’s main plaza suffused with optimism about end of Hosni Mubarak’s regime Some brought paint and brushes to express themselves, some prayed, some yelled political slogans, some picnicked on eggs and bread, underneath the clattering helicopters. But all came to demand the end of the Mubarak regime – and on the seventh straight day of protests, many believed they were on the home stretch. “We have spoken. When the citizens speak, we cannot go back,” said Ahmed Mustafa. “I came here to fight the fear inside me. Now people have lost their fear.” “For the first time I am proud to be an Egyptian,” said Susanne Saleh, a 38-year-old mother of three. “People are exploding. Mubarak is facing the pressure of his people and there is no way he can stay.” “This is the end,” said Ala’adin al Sahabi simply, a view echoed in many of the handwritten signs. “Game over, Mubarak,” said one. About 10,000 people streamed into Tahrir Square, paying no heed to the curfew which was today brought forward to 3pm. Indeed at two minutes to the hour, a large contingent of chanting protesters appeared, to cheers, from a side street in a bold demonstration of defiance. In contrast to the violence meted out in Friday’s protest, there was no sign of the police or army inside the square although it was ringed a block back by tanks and armed soldiers. They did not attempt to prevent access to the square but were instead polite and helpful. “The army will take the people’s side,” predicted Adel, one of the protesters. “The lower ranks all hate Mubarak too.” The mood among protesters was heady; most feel victory is within their grasp. A call for a million Egyptians to join the Cairo protest tomorrow will be easily surpassed, many said. “If people leave this square the regime will survive and Mubarak will have his revenge,” said Ahmed Muhammad. “Tomorrow we will be stronger, there will be millions.” They were scathing about the new government announced by the president. “This is all nonsense,” said protester Omar el-Demerdash, 24, a research executive. “The demand is clear: We want Mubarak and his men to get out. Anything other than that is just not enough.” Israa Abdel-Fattah, a founder of the 6 April Group, a movement of young people pushing for democratic reform, added: “We don’t want life to go back to normal until Mubarak leaves.” Demonstrators climbed lampposts to hang Egyptian flags and signs proclaiming “Leave, Mubarak!” One poster featured Mubarak’s face plastered with a Hitler moustache. Few had a clear idea of what might happen following the departure of Mubarak, other than talking in passionate, if ill-defined, terms about democracy and freedom. The crowd included both supporters and critics of the Muslim Brotherhood, the Islamist organisation which the west fears will step into any vacuum left by the fall of Mubarak. “Ninety-five percent of the people do not support any party,” said al-Sahabi. On the battered and increasingly sparse grass in the centre of the square, someone had pitched a tent with a sign saying, in Arabic and English, “Freedom Motel”. A few metres away, Ramy Hussein, 26, had already set his sights beyond the end of the Mubarak regime. “Without what happened in Tunis, this wouldn’t have happened here,” he said. “I think it will happen in Syria as well because Assad is also a dictator. And maybe Jordan, too.” Egypt Protest Middle East Harriet Sherwood guardian.co.uk

Posted by on January 31, 2011. Filed under News, Politics, World News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry