CAIRO: Egyptian youth expressed their discontent with the government removing a large graffiti mural on the wall of the American University in Cairo (AUC) building on Mohamed Mahmoud street in downtown Cairo late on Tuesday, which had been painted to honor those who died in the January 2011 revolution and the November clashes that occurred on the street. Activists shared a photo on social networking sites showing a man painting over the art and called on street artists to go back and redo the art scene, defying the government's decision to “beautify” Tahrir Square its own way. Less than 24 hours later, new graffiti was posted that features a young man poking his tongue at the government while the caption reads “erase again you cowered regime.” The nearby Tahrir Square became a free speech zone for artists to express their take on current events and commemorate those who lost their lives for change. Prime Minister Hisham Qandeel visited the iconic square late last week and ordered the removal of street vendors and sidewalk sellers in order to turn the square into an international site for visitors. Graffiti had become a voice for activists to express themselves and the walls along Mohamed Mahmoud street had been covered in the street art for months.
