ON WEDNESDAY hundreds of journalists and human rights activists gathered in front of the Shura Council and the People's Assembly in a peaceful rally to protest against the 14-month delay of the implementation of the law prohibiting the incarceration of journalists. The protest was instigated by the Press Syndicate's General Assembly and in spite of the oppressive heat, scores of journalists answered the call of their syndicate, Salonaz Sami reports. Among the prominent journalists who attended the protest were Kamel El-Zoheiri, Mohamed El-Said Edris, Adel Hamouda and Mustafa Bakri. Salaheddin Hafez, head of the Arab Journalists Union, was also present. "Freedom of expression is a basic feature of political reform," said Galal Aref, head of the Press Syndicate. "We held a meeting yesterday with more than 20 civil and human rights organisations and they all support us." Yehia Qalash, general secretary of the syndicate told Al-Ahram Weekly. "The freedom of press is the mother of all freedoms," said Salah Abdel-Maqsoud, a member of the Press Syndicate's Council. Gamal Fahmi, member of the syndicate's General Assembly, concurred. "We've got to fight for our freedom," Hamdeen Sabahi, editor-in-chief of Al-Karama newspaper and member of the People's Assembly told the Weekly.
