Huge protests took place across Egypt on Friday. Under the banner, "The Friday of Final Warning," tens of thousands gathered in Cairo’s Tahrir Square and the industrial city of Suez. Many smaller demonstrations took place across the country.
It was the second week of mass demonstrations in Egypt, as working people and youth voiced opposition to the military-dominated government that took over power after the ouster of Hosni Mubarak in February. The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) is the ultimate power in the country; its generals, who were an integral part of the Mubarak dictatorship, have maintained Egypt’s repressive state apparatus and subservient relationship with US imperialism.
There is growing hostility to the regime, which is seen as shielding Mubarak, his family and top officials, as well as members of the security services responsible for the torture and killing of thousands of protesters during the February uprising.
Following last week’s protests, the SCAF announced Wednesday that 700 senior police officers linked to attacks on demonstrators would be moved from their posts. Under the plan, some officers would be offered early retirement and others would be relocated or promoted.
Interior Minister Mansour El-Essawy claimed the move was the "biggest reshuffle in the police force’s history," and that new recruits hired to replace those departing would "pump fresh blood in to the system."
The token gesture had no discernible impact of the mood on the streets across Egypt on Friday. "It’s just theatre," one protester camped out in Tahrir Square told Agence France-Presse. "These announcements are not enough," said another demonstrator. "The priority is to have trials for the murderers of the martyrs."
A number of those camping in Tahrir Square are on hunger strike to demand the prosecution of Mubarak-era officials. [...]
It was the second week of mass demonstrations in Egypt, as working people and youth voiced opposition to the military-dominated government that took over power after the ouster of Hosni Mubarak in February. The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) is the ultimate power in the country; its generals, who were an integral part of the Mubarak dictatorship, have maintained Egypt’s repressive state apparatus and subservient relationship with US imperialism.
There is growing hostility to the regime, which is seen as shielding Mubarak, his family and top officials, as well as members of the security services responsible for the torture and killing of thousands of protesters during the February uprising.
Following last week’s protests, the SCAF announced Wednesday that 700 senior police officers linked to attacks on demonstrators would be moved from their posts. Under the plan, some officers would be offered early retirement and others would be relocated or promoted.
Interior Minister Mansour El-Essawy claimed the move was the "biggest reshuffle in the police force’s history," and that new recruits hired to replace those departing would "pump fresh blood in to the system."
The token gesture had no discernible impact of the mood on the streets across Egypt on Friday. "It’s just theatre," one protester camped out in Tahrir Square told Agence France-Presse. "These announcements are not enough," said another demonstrator. "The priority is to have trials for the murderers of the martyrs."
A number of those camping in Tahrir Square are on hunger strike to demand the prosecution of Mubarak-era officials. [...]
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