Thousands of protesters continued a sit-in in Essaaf Square in Suez, chanting slogans calling for the punishment of officials implicated in killing protesters and purging the country of corrupt officials. Protesters from several Suez companies held banners calling for retribution for the martyrs of the revolution. Soldiers from the Third Army, meanwhile, distributed bottles of water to protesters, who chanted, “The people and the army are one hand.” The army distributed leaflets saying it supports the revolution of Suez, and the army is part of the nation, feels their pains and supports their dreams. It also said it trusts protesters to prevent anyone driving a wedge between the army and the people. Mohamed Mahmoud, general coordinator of the Suez Youth Bloc, said protesters will remain in Essaaf Square until practical steps are taken to achieve the demands of the revolution. He said the bloc issued a statement to welcome all political powers and activists, including the Muslim Brotherhood and Salafis, who did join the protests. Ahmed al-Kilany, a member of the General Secretariat for Change, described the day as historic, adding that Suez residents have taken to the streets to defend their revolution and send a message to the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces and the cabinet that the revolution will continue until all its demands are achieved. He said Suez has a new demand: purging the judiciary of corrupt judges in order to carry out fair trials of those who killed protesters during the 25 January revolution. Saad Khalifa, a Brotherhood leader, said the group lends its full support to the revolution and will continue to defend it until its demands are achieved. But, he added, they support the constitutional declaration which reflects the will of the majority who voted in the 19 March referendum on constitutional amendments. Ashraf Nour al-Deen, whose brother was killed in the revolution, said she wants officers involved in the killing of protesters to be tried, as well as former president Hosni Mubarak and former interior minister Habib al-Adly. She also wants the removal of corrupt judges. Protesters hung an effigy of former Suez governor Saif al-Deen Galal, and set up a podium and decorated it with pictures of the martyrs. Translated from the Arabic Edition
