CAIRO (Update 1) - Thousands of Egyptians gathered in Cairo's famous Al Tahrir Square Friday, as part of an effort by liberal activists to revive January 25 revolution after a series of perceived political setbacks. Dubbed the "Friday to Save the Revolution," the rally is an effort to show opposition to a recent proposed law, which would criminalise protests. It is also an effort to re-assert the youth movement which drove former President Hosni Mubarak from power on February 11. Many liberal activists fear they have been side-lined since Mubarak's overthrow and running the natin's affairs by the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) and Islamist groups. "We want to ensure that our revolution is not stolen from us," announced a flier published by the Youth Coalition, one of the more prominent associations that emerged from the revolution. The group denounced a recent raid by soldiers to break up a sit-in at Cairo University. It also demanded the prosecution of several former allies of Mubarak and the removal of Mubarak supporters from top positions at Egyptian television stations and newspapers. In a recent interview with CNN, a spokesman for the Youth Coalition conceded that liberal groups were scrambling to catch up with better-established political organisations like the 83-year old Muslim Brotherhood ahead of parliamentary elections, scheduled to take place in September. "We are in a competition with time," said Mohamed Taman, an artist who suffered a bullet wound to the eye from security forces during the protests that began on January 25. "For the next parliament elections we are sure that we will not be able to be ready." The Army used force to break up a previous protest in Al Tahrir Square on March 9. Activists described how they were beaten and tortured while in military detention. Friday's protest was approved by the Army. A main entryway into the square has been blocked by parked cars, while activists have been giving speeches from a stage in the square Egyptians joined the demonstration after Friday prayers in response to a call by several political groups, including the Revolution Youth Coalition which has been criticised for its absence from the political scene. Coinciding with Orphans' Day, the revolution Youth Coalition said that more than 120 families who have lost their children as martyrs during the revolution have been asked to join the action in condemnation of the late trials of those responsible for killing young demonstrators during the 18- day revolt. The revolution's unmet demands include changing the Constitution so as to mitigate the president's sweeping powers, dismantling the former ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) and the trial of all figures accused of corruption including the ousted president. Also demanded is an ending of the state of emergency and the release of political prisoners. Lately many have also demanded an end to military prosecutions of civilians, a common procedure since the military took power. Activists complain that the revolution is still far from successful in meeting its initial demands. "Mubarak has not been put on trial. The NDP is still at work. The local councils and governors appointed by the old regime have not been replaced, members of the old regime still dominate most workers' unions and public companies, while the emergency law has not been lifted and most political detainees remain in captivity," the activists complained. They have also presented "urgent demands," among them a "swift trial" of Mubarak, his family and various members of the former regime. The group is also calling for a more determined action against corruption that must include "more efficient measures to recoup the millions pillaged from the people" during the Mubarak era.
