CAIRO: Egyptians were in full protest mode on Friday afternoon, with tens of thousands marching toward the ministry of defense to denounce the military junta in Egypt. Upon arrival, the military brought out a brass band and began an attempt to drown out the protesters calling for the end to military rule of the country. But the protesters were not rebuked, instead they fought back by singing the national anthem. Onlookers in the usually tense, pro-military Abbassiya neighborhood of Cairo watched with amusement. One local resident told Bikyamasr.com that the military's attitude is “becoming weak,” adding that “they play music now instead of dealing with the protesters and the future of the country.” The military, however, was quick to deploy on Friday, putting tanks, roadblocks and soldiers in between the ministry and the protesters, who traversed the meandering Cairo streets for hours before arriving shortly before nightfall at their destination. “Down with the Field Marshal” and “Tantawi must be executed” were among the more popular chants yelled by the stream of protesters, which stretched across Cairo. As the demonstration, another show of willpower by the country's activists, passed Muslim Brotherhood buildings, anti-MB statements rained out, but many protesters were quick to silence their chants. Unlike the past week's clashes in downtown Cairo and Suez, where at least 15 people lost their lives and thousands more injured by tear gas, rubber bullets and birdshot, Friday's protest was a jovial affair, bring together Egyptians of all walks of life, young and old, in their fervent desire to see civilian rule returned to the country. “We are joining [the protest] because Egypt is our country and we want a good future,” said one elderly man, holding his grandson of 9-years-old's hand. Residents in the apartment buildings nearby the ministry of defense were not their usual antagonistic selves – in July, a protest at the MOD had left one protester dead after residents attacked – and they were seen tossing water bottles to the thirsty protesters below. Friday's protest also comes one day before a general strike and civil disobedience campaign is to be launched by local labor movements, youth groups and activists in what they hope will be the final push to oust the military from power. The country's religious institutions and government have called the planned strike “destructive” and “un-Islamic” in an attempt to deter activists from going forward with their plan, but with over 120 organizations and groups ready to participate, February 11 – also the one-year anniversary of the ousting of President Hosni Mubarak – could be a turning point in Egypt's transition to democracy and civilian rule. BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/bTHlU Tags: Egypt, featured, MOD, Protests, SCAF Section: Egypt, Latest News
