Another Anniversary, Another Protest

Lately, citizens have had to protest the protestors
to get anywhere in Cairo!
(photo by Nevine El Shabrawy
via Egypt Independent)

Today, February 11 marks not just the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, but here in Egypt, it also marks the 2nd Anniversary of the former leader Hosni Mubarak stepping down.

Though most of the leading Twitter accounts have been quiet this morning, choosing instead to tweet about the Pope (quite humorously), the demonstrators have been preparing for this day for awhile.  Various opposition groups are using this anniversary as a day of protests against current President Mohammed Morsi, and many have expressed a desire to see him resign within the week as well.  To that end, they have been angling for various acts of "civil disobedience" in an effort to further disrupt "normal" Egyptian society.

The Mugamma has been shut down for the second consecutive day.  Employees and citizens were prevented from entering by protestors who blocked the entrances with barb wire and metal barriers ob Sunday, February 10, closing the main building of government offices at Tahrir Square.  The article states that despite pleas of those attempting to get in, the protestors stated that the building would be closed until further notice.  (Usually, these types of protests rarely interfere with our routines or lives--but this one is happening at the time we need to access those offices ourselves!)

The Metro lines, anticipating additional efforts to further disrupt services, had stationed as many 60 guards--this was reported, along with the report that they would not be armed and that they would be able to "nonviolently prevent" any demonstrations and disruptions.  The report only led the protestors to escalate their plan by charging into the main Sadat station below Tahrir Square while armed themselves, disrupting the service for about an hour.  Meanwhile, additional groups of protestors blocked both directions of traffic on the 6th of October bridge, one of the main city bridges crossing the Nile River.

While many groups are calling now for the resignation of President Morsi, the main opposition group, the National Salvation Front, has stated publicly (now) that they respect the legitimacy of his presidency.  Amr Moussa, former Presidential candidate and former head of the Arab League, has been a part of the NSF merger of various political ideologies under this singular umbrella--he stated recently that the NSF instead wants to challenge Presiden't Morsi's credibility and ask for quicker Presidential elections.

Things are continuing to be a bit chaotic amidst all the political protests; meanwhile, the economy continues to struggle as the Egyptian pound continues to lose value against the US dollar.  Concerns continue to grow as to whether or not schedule price and tax increases, and accompanying reductions to various subsidies on necessities, are looming as feared.

We continue here experiencing safety and blessing.  Thank you for your continued interest and prayers for Egypt...