CAIRO: Concrete stones line the middle of Cairo's Mohamed Mahmoud street. White robed doctors stood atop, one with a megaphone. Behind the row of some 20 medical workers, two rows of riot gear-clad military soldiers stand waiting. Here, where scores of Egyptian protesters clashed with police, throwing rocks in an attempt to force the police away from the main Tahrir Square some 100 meters behind. In response, Egypt's now infamous police sent barrage upon barrage of tear gas upon the demonstrators, then followed with rubber bullets and ultimately live ammunition, killing scores. Now, a truce has been established, and largely to the large blocks of stones and doctors, it has been maintained for nearly 20 hours. According to medical sources, Bikyamasr.com is reporting over 90 people have been killed and thousands others injured in the five days of violence that rocked the country. Elsewhere in Egyptian cities, protests and clashes have left others dead, and many more injured. “We want the end of the military rule,” said Omar, a youthful Egyptian, who with a group of fellow friends, tear gas masks still around their neck, nodded their heads in agreement. But would the violence that had left a nation wounded continue, Omar said that with the new barrier “I don't think we can do much but hope they will leave.” On Thursday evening, hundreds of thousands had converged on the main Cairo square, the iconic home of the January uprising that ousted former President Hosni Mubarak and paved the way for what most Egyptians hoped would be an end to autocratic rule in the country and usher in an era of freedom and democracy. Instead, Egypt has been ruled by a military who has jailed, killed and pushed back elections time and time again. Hope, it seems, has little weight on Mohamed Mahmoud. On the street leading up to the new barrier, the sidewalks are smashed, makeshift stones have been created and are piled to one side. Waiting impatiently to be used, thrown at the police, “if we need to do to defend the people,” added Omar's friend Mohamed. Both said they had been at the frontlines of the battle for Tahrir over the past few days. Their bloodshot eyes tell the story of this new generation of Egyptians who have said enough to the rulers of their country. The past five days have been the bloodiest since the country's 18 days of revolt led to the military intervening and taking control on February 12. Elections are scheduled to begin on November 28, but with the city, and country in shambles, worries abound over what those results and voting will bring. “We are continuing our campaign and will not suspend it,” said Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) spokesman Said Zenary on Tuesday. He added, in an interview with Bikyamasr.com. On Thursday, activists who had been at the frontlines of the fight and alleged members of the Muslim Brotherhood and local residents apparently took to Mohamed Mahmoud street to “defend” the area from supposed “thugs” the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) had warned the country about earlier in the day. “There are many Brotherhood people here now and they are trying to take control of the area and are pushing away the protesters who had stood by the people this past few days,” continued Mohamed. Their sentiments seem to be more of the norm in and around Tahrir. Anger towards the Brotherhood and its offshoot political party, the FJP, did not join the protests, much like they stayed away during the January uprising, angering then millions who had hoped the popular Islamic group would weild their power and bring the masses to the streets. Now, as the truce is tentatively holding at 7 PM local Egypt time, doctors are seen on the wall, but the military and police seem to be moving into positions, shields and helmets readied. For Omar, he hopes the truce can be maintained and the people will be heard. “We might not be the whole country, but I am Egyptian and I want to live free. I wait now,” he told Bikyamasr.com, then tossed a few rocks and pointed across the barrier, “do they support peace and justice?” BM
