CAIRO: As protests and clashes continue in downtown Cairo, the frontlines have become a cross section of Egyptian society, young and old, men and women, observer and fighter. While women have always taken up positions at the front in clashes with police, braving the tear gas attacks, birdshot and rubber bullets, the past two days has seen unprecedented female numbers on Mansour street, the flashpoint of violence. Pushing their way through the crowds female medics make their way to victims of tear gas inhalation, covering their face with only a thin “mask.” Amira is one of those young, mid-twenties Egyptians who has taken it as a duty to be a part of what she calls an uprising. “I will do and act as I can, being here for the uprising is important and people need as many hands to help with injuries as possible,” she told Bikyamasr.com on Mansour Street on Friday afternoon, dodging tear gas attacks and the rush of the crowd to and from the front. For her, who volunteered in November in the field hospitals set up in almost the exact same positions during the clashes on Mohamed Mahmoud street, which connects and runs parallel to Mansour street. “Everyone is important down here. We are here because the military and the police continue to kill people. We won't stop until they are gone,” she said, echoing the statements sounded by others. “Leave, leave,” and “down with the SCAF,” are among the most prominent chants being voiced loudly in downtown Cairo. Brave young people are fighting for their lives and women are becoming just as integral as their male counterparts. Nehal is a 22-year-old university student and blogger. She arrived from her Heliopolis house on Friday early afternoon and was immediately hit with a barrage of tear gas. Her eyes run red, but she is determined to continue the fight. “For the last few months, I have seen people take their lives in their hands for me and others, so I believe it is my turn to do my part,” she told Bikyamasr.com, pulling her scarf across her mouth to do what she can to stop the gas from entering her system. Easier said than done. Across the street, Nehal points and waves to a friend. They wave back and point towards the police, making a fist. “We will be victorious because we are right and we demand change and the military out and Tantawi on trial,” she continued. Standing just off to the left, she continues to snap photograph upon photograph of each successive white smoke that erupts as the tear gas explodes on the ground. She follows a group of female flag bearers toward the front, only to be pushed back by the next attack. For her, and the hundreds of other women who have found their way to the front, the clashes in downtown Cairo will be the final battle for Egypt. “If we stop now and do not continue until the military is out, we will lose the revolution. People I talk to understand this and that is why it is so important to have more people here every day and all day,” added Amira. Reports say at least five people have died in two days of fighting across the country and thousands injured. There was a short reprieve from violence on Saturday morning, but the tear gas began again late in the morning. BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/wsJKA Tags: featured, Mansour Street, Protests Section: Editor's choice, Egypt, Features, Latest News, Women
