CAIRO - As soon as thousands of young revolutionaries started erecting their makeshift tents once again in Cairo's Tahrir Square on Saturday to push for political reforms, hundreds of street vendors set up little stalls there, selling steaming cups of tea and hot food to the protesters. Beside the usual impromptu stalls, gas masks have become the pride of the Square."These masks are for the young heroes," Zeinab, a female vendor, told The Egyptian Gazette, adding that she sells the masks for LE2, sometimes giving them away if a protester does not have any money. The famous Square has become once again a mecca for street vendors, who sell everything from hot, tempting dishes of koshari and cold sandwiches to sweet potatoes and popcorn. Zeinab and her husband, Sayyed, say that business is great just now, as they're making a lot of money selling tea to the protesters. "The Square has become a major attraction for hundreds of vendors," says Ramzi, who sells tubs of delicious koshari to the young people who come en masse to Tahrir during the day. Beyond their political beliefs, if they have any, the protests have a symbolic importance in Egypt, where most of these vendors have been denied a decent income, because the Government is reluctant to give them licensed stalls or kiosks to sell their wares. “I am very proud of these brave young men because they will help the Egyptians regain their rights," adds Ramzi, who sells hot tea in the Square, which has witnessed violent clashes between the police and the young people since last Saturday. At least 38 people have been killed and more than 1,250 injured, medical officials say. The clashes reflect the mounting frustration with the military rulers over the pace of reform, with activists calling for an open-ended sit-in in Tahrir until the goals of their protest are met. The young people have demanded that the army generals, who have been ruling the country since February 11, make way immediately for a national salvation government of civilians to manage Egypt's transition to democracy. The vendors talk to the protesters enthusiastically, hoping to make more money. "I'm picking up more than LE50 a day," says Am Okasha, who sells popcorn, even though he says it's not been selling well. Am Okasha, who has trying to benefit from the influx of protesters to the square, said that he has been given an area in the Square managed by the protesting youth. In the Square, the scent of freshly baked sweet potatoes wafts through the air as vendor Shafiq sells them to arriving protesters. "I give the protesters free potatoes. It is the least I can do for them," Shafiq says proudly, adding that he doesn't care about the money. His hot sweet potatoes are enjoyed by rich and poor protesters alike. "This is a unique experience. I am proud to sell my sweet potatoes during the second popular uprising in Tahrir," he explains, stressing that he will stay there until the young revolutionaries have achieved their goals.
