What has now become a familiar scene for many in Cairo, protesters again took to the streets and have flooded Tahrir, with an entirely new set of demands to be met.
Tens of thousands have thronged into the square, with protests also breaking out in Alexandria and the Suez (which is presently witnessing the largest protest in the area since the violent protests demanding the removal of former president Mubarak).
While I'm sat in Cairo, there are a few things that cross my mind. Firstly, the raging sandstorm outside must make conditions in Tahrir miserable; combined with the heat I am surprised people are still out in the numbers that they are. Second, one of the primary demands that protesters are urging is for a new presidential council to be enacted, to take over from the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) until the parliamentary elections in September.
Doesn't that sound lovely, remove the power from the Army, and give it to the people. It's what democracies are built upon, right?
Well, technically, yes. Were it not for the fact that the Egyptian people have already voted on the option for a presidential council, and the majority voted AGAINST implementing a presidential council. Egypt, you wanted democracy. You got it, now deal with the consequences. It's what democratic countries have been doing for years; you don't like the result of the popular vote, so what do you do? Take to the streets to protest to try and overturn a democratic majority vote? No. You deal with it, and focus on your next goals. Some people will just never be happy.
Then there are those demanding that Mubarak's trial be held faster. He's been caught, detained, and is going on trial. It takes time to present a legal case, any lawyer will tell you that. But in Cairo now, those who are continuing protesting expect instant gratification; they are entirely unwilling to patiently wait for progress to take its path. It is this inability to ignore instant gratification that continues to weaken the society and economy in Egypt. But what do I know; I'm merely a "foreigner" in a "foreign land," what right do I have to comment on the intricacies of Egyptian politics.
For those who are unfamiliar with the demands of this "Second Friday of Rage," below is an article that summarizes the basic ideologies behind groups who called for these demonstrations today.
Everything seems possible in the Second Day of Rage.
Tens of thousands have thronged into the square, with protests also breaking out in Alexandria and the Suez (which is presently witnessing the largest protest in the area since the violent protests demanding the removal of former president Mubarak).
While I'm sat in Cairo, there are a few things that cross my mind. Firstly, the raging sandstorm outside must make conditions in Tahrir miserable; combined with the heat I am surprised people are still out in the numbers that they are. Second, one of the primary demands that protesters are urging is for a new presidential council to be enacted, to take over from the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) until the parliamentary elections in September.
Doesn't that sound lovely, remove the power from the Army, and give it to the people. It's what democracies are built upon, right?
Well, technically, yes. Were it not for the fact that the Egyptian people have already voted on the option for a presidential council, and the majority voted AGAINST implementing a presidential council. Egypt, you wanted democracy. You got it, now deal with the consequences. It's what democratic countries have been doing for years; you don't like the result of the popular vote, so what do you do? Take to the streets to protest to try and overturn a democratic majority vote? No. You deal with it, and focus on your next goals.
Then there are those demanding that Mubarak's trial be held faster. He's been caught, detained, and is going on trial. It takes time to present a legal case, any lawyer will tell you that. But in Cairo now, those who are continuing protesting expect instant gratification; they are entirely unwilling to patiently wait for progress to take its path. It is this inability to ignore instant gratification that continues to weaken the society and economy in Egypt. But what do I know; I'm merely a "foreigner" in a "foreign land," what right do I have to comment on the intricacies of Egyptian politics.
For those who are unfamiliar with the demands of this "Second Friday of Rage," below is an article that summarizes the basic ideologies behind groups who called for these demonstrations today.
Everything seems possible in the Second Day of Rage.
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