CAIRO: Just a week has passed since Egyptian state security and protesters agreed to and observed a ceasefire in Tahrir Square, ending nine days of prolonged political violence that left at least 41 dead and at least 3,000 injured. Set to honor those who were killed in the deadly clashes across the nation, 23 of Egypt's political parties have called for a mass rally in Tahrir Square on Friday December 2 to honor all of those who have died at the hands of Egypt's interim military rulers since they took power last February. The demonstration is also set to demand the immediate trial of all those within the Military Council and the Ministry of Interior who are responsible for the state-backed violence that wracked the square during the most recent clashes. Though Egypt's “second revolution” did not succeed in forcing the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) from power as it set to demand, it did force the SCAF to quicken the pace for presidential elections, and pushed the proposed timeframe for a transfer to civilian power from 2013 to June of 2012. The uprisings also forced the unpopular Egyptian cabinet, led by former Prime Minster Essam Sharaf, to resign. From 1pm until 4pm, protesters will offer their condolences to the martyrs of the revolution in front of Mohamed Mahmoud St. Following, they will perform a rally from 4-6pm, carrying symbolic coffins through the square. Finally, there will be a memorial ceremony held from 6-7:30pm. Egypt's newly appointed Prime Minster Kamal El-Ganzouri announced on Wednesday that he intends to create a “Ministry of Revolution's Martyrs Affairs” in his new government. Parties organizing the rally include the prominent People's Socialist Alliance, the presidential campaign of Mohamed ElBaradei, the April 6 Movement, and the Maspero Youth Coalition. BM
