The Popular Current postponed an aid convoy headed for the city of Port Said on Monday, amid violence in the city since Saturday. The convoy was scheduled to head for the turbulent city on Tuesday morning. It was organised by the Popular Current alongside independent political activists, offering moral support to residents of Port Said. In a statement released on Monday, the Popular Current mentioned that all tourist agencies approached declined to rent out buses. The tourist agencies allegedly received strict security instructions. The Popular Current said in a statement: “We nevertheless insist, alongside other contributing activists, on rescheduling the convoy as soon as possible.” They added that should no buses be available, the convoy would resort to using private cars. The Popular Current, in collaboration with several other political movements, is organising three marches in Cairo to express solidarity with the Canal cities of Ismailia, Port Said and Suez. The political movements include; Al-Dostour Party, Social Popular Alliance Party (SPAP), Free Egyptians Party, Revolutionary Socialists and Maspero Youth Coalition. The marches are to protest a state of emergency announced in the Canal cities, refusing attempts to “isolate” the three cities, the Popular Current said. The Canal cities have witnessed deadly violence over the past four days. Bloody clashes erupted in Suez on Friday, as protesters took to the streets on the second anniversary of the 25 January Revolution. On Saturday, clashes reached Port Said after a court verdict on the Port Said massacre sentenced 21 Port Said residents the death penalty. President Mohamed Morsy declared a state of emergency on Monday in the three Canal cities. He also imposed a curfew from 9pm till 6am, valid for 30 days.
