Several marches by supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi have begun in locations around Cairo. Hundreds of protesters left mosques after Friday afternoon prayers in the Cairo districts of Helwan, Maadi, Nasr City, and over the river in parts of Giza, holding pictures of Morsi and posters showing the four-fingered Rabaa sign, a symbol of his followers. Demonstrators also chanted against the military and police. The protest was called for the pro-Morsi National Alliance to Support Legitimacy, in support of 21 female protesters in Alexandria who were given harsh prison sentences last week. An Egyptian court sentenced 14 female protesters to 11 years in jail and placed seven underage girls in juvenile detention for taking part in clashes during a pro-Morsi protest in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria. The women and girls have maintained that they were protesting peacefully. Egyptian security forces have stepped up their presence around Cairo and Giza on Friday, in anticipation of the demos. Under new legislation on protests, issued last week by interim President Adly Mansour, demonstrators must submit plans for their protests to the authorities at least three days prior. Failure to do so can result in fines or jail terms. http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/88421.aspx
