CAIRO: The residents of Samanoud, a town in Gharbiya governorate, held a demonstration before the town council on Thursday to protest the rise in prices of food and basic commodities. But despite people's anger, the demonstration ended only half an hour after it began. According to internet blogger Karim El-Beheiry, security forces were present as soon as the protest began at 11 am, turning Al-Nahas square into a "military barrack. "A number people were arrested in front of the mosque. They were forbidden to join the demonstration before being physically forced into the square, which was surrounded with security, El-Beheiry told Daily News Egypt. "Many of those present were subject to intimidation by the officers, including Karima El-Hafanawy of the Kefaya movement and journalist Abdul Halim Qandil. Protesters chanted slogans blasting the rise in prices and attacking government corruption and the minimal basic wages. "Let Hosni Mubarak fall . They've raised the price of sugar, they've raised the price of oil, let's sell our furniture . They eat pigeon and chicken, while we eat foul and tiredness. Oh Egypt, you're still overrun with dogs and hardship, they shouted out. Despite the breakup of the demonstration, the people of Samanoud released a statement heavily criticizing the government for taking away the support system of subsidies that funds staple foods, such as bread and oil as well, as criticizing the recent raise in prices of medical supplies. The demonstrations come at a time when the rise in prices of basic commodities has hit record highs, with many blaming the government for what they perceive to be the controlled and systematic abuse of the Egyptian economy by the political elite. In one weekly meeting of a group of political campaigners, the newly formed El-Badil movement, the rise in prices was the single topic of conversation. "I'm not a socialist, said Victor Naguib, a Kefaya campaigner, "I'm a libertarian, and am all for privatization, but there must be transparency, and the basic wage must be sufficient to cover the essential needs of any citizen, such as bread, sugar and meat. The current minimum wage barely covers these staple foodstuffs. The issue of the minimum wage is not just a burning topic of conversation among social and political activists, but has recently come under the political spotlight. According to the local press, the National Council of Wages will meet next Tuesday to research the possibility of raising minimum wages. The minimum expected to be set will be LE 450 per month. However, this will do little to satisfy workers' demands, which stipulate a minimum monthly wage no less than LE 650.
