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Egyptian military attempting to clear #Tahrir Square

The regime must follow Mubarak | 13.02.2011 09:37 | Anti-militarism | Repression | World

This morning the army moved in and is attempting to force the protestors out of Tahrir Square. Tents have been dismantled. Following a call out, thousands are said to be streaming back into the square to back up those who have vowed to remain until the regime is out of power. This in defiance of the call by Mohamed Ibrahim Moustafa Ali, the head of military police, "We do not want any protesters to sit in the square after today"

Police protest for better conditions
Police protest for better conditions

300 policemen protesting with flags in October City
300 policemen protesting with flags in October City

Protestors face military in Tahrir Square
Protestors face military in Tahrir Square


Bloggers in the square report that the soldiers are not being violent. They are fearful that the military, which has not sacked the Mubarak cabinet, is now beginning to attempt to a reurn to pre-revoltionary normality. As one put it, "It may seem very paranoid but what if the military played us all ?"

Elsewhere protests are reported outside a bank near the parliament building, and policemen in Cairo and October City are demonstrating for 'better working conditions'. In Alexandria hundreds of Bank of Alexandria workers are protesting for better pay.

The regime must follow Mubarak

Additions

Army & military police forcefully disperse Tahrir Sq. Protest

13.02.2011 12:31







The massive revolutionary celebrations in Tahrir Square over the past two days began to fizzle out by Saturday night. By Sunday morning only around 5,000 protesters remained encamped within the square - demanding democratic reforms, and specific timetables for these reforms.

Dozens of military police forces were deployed in Tahrir Square, by Qasr al-Aini Street, at around 7am on Sunday (Feb. 13.) The vast majority of protesters had left Tahrir Square by Saturday night.

Around 8am - hundreds of military troops armed with machine-guns moved in to clear open the streets around Tahrir Square.

By 9am these armed forces moved into the protesters' campsites and tore down tents using knives and bayonets.

Protesters who resisted were beaten, detained or arrested. Journalists, and especially photographers, were harassed. A Japanese photo-journalist was injured in his head as he refused to hand over his camera.

The army is not a democratic institution; thus democracy is never expected to emanate from the armed forces, but from civil society.

Armed forces tore down the tents and banners of peaceful protesters in Tahrir Square. Dozens of detentions and arrests were reported.

Jano Charbel (repost)
- Homepage: http://she2i2.blogspot.com/2011/02/army-military-police-forcefully.html