Madbouly: Spain key ally in Egypt's regional, global project drive    Global pressure mounts on Israel as Gaza death toll surges, war deepens    Egypt targets 7.7% AI contribution to GDP by 2030: Communications Minister    Irrigation Minister highlights Egypt's water challenges, innovation efforts at DAAD centenary celebration    Egypt discusses strengthening agricultural ties, investment opportunities with Indian delegation    Al-Sisi welcomes Spain's monarch in historic first visit, with Gaza, regional peace in focus    Cairo governor briefs PM on Khan el-Khalili, Rameses Square development    El Gouna Film Festival's 8th edition to coincide with UN's 80th anniversary    Egypt expands medical, humanitarian support for Gaza patients    Egypt condemns Israeli offensive in Gaza City, warns of grave regional consequences    Cairo University, Roche Diagnostics inaugurate automated lab at Qasr El-Ainy    Egypt investigates disappearance of ancient bracelet from Egyptian Museum in Tahrir    Egypt launches international architecture academy with UNESCO, European partners    Egypt signs MoUs with 3 European universities to advance architecture, urban studies    Egypt's Sisi, Qatar's Emir condemn Israeli strikes, call for Gaza ceasefire    Egypt condemns terrorist attack in northwest Pakistan    Egyptian pound ends week lower against US dollar – CBE    Egypt hosts G20 meeting for 1st time outside member states    Egypt to tighten waste rules, cut rice straw fees to curb pollution    Egypt seeks Indian expertise to boost pharmaceutical industry    Egypt prepares unified stance ahead of COP30 in Brazil    Egypt harvests 315,000 cubic metres of rainwater in Sinai as part of flash flood protection measures    Al-Sisi says any party thinking Egypt will neglect water rights is 'completely mistaken'    Egyptian, Ugandan Presidents open business forum to boost trade    Egypt's Sisi, Uganda's Museveni discuss boosting ties    Egypt's Sisi warns against unilateral Nile measures, reaffirms Egypt's water security stance    Greco-Roman rock-cut tombs unearthed in Egypt's Aswan    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Sit-in end means misery for some
Published in The Egyptian Gazette on 02 - 07 - 2012

While many revolutionaries continued their demonstrations in Tahrir Square for the 12th day in a row and put pressure on the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) to give Mohammed Morsi full presidential powers, the street vendors in the square are worried that the protesters might withdraw.
The demonstrators say that they will not leave the square until their demands are met.
They are calling for the cancellation of the Supplementary Constitutional Declaration (SCD) and for all powers to be handed over to President Mohammed Morsi.
They are also calling for a cancellation of the ruling by the Supreme Constitutional Court that dissolved Parliament, and they protest against the SCAF's interference with the Constituent Assembly (CA) tasked with writing the new constitution.
“Once the demonstrators' demands are met, the government will order the evacuation of Tahrir Square, either freely or by force. This means that we street vendors will also have to leave," complained Tharwat Shalabi, a street vendor from Othman, a village near Shubra el-Kheima in Qaliubia Governorate.
“Evacuating the Square will put an end to my income and hurt my family with four children. I call on President Morsi to give us another space where we can sell our goods and make a living," Shalabi, 43, said.
“I have been in Tahrir since the start of the January 25 revolution 16 months ago. Morsi promised in his speeches to care for the poor as well as ordinary citizens. But we need actions, not words. We hope he will give us decent lives and put an end to begging. We need equality and social justice for all citizens," said Abdel-Ma'boud Thabet, who works in a bakery. A woman explained that she goes every day to Tahrir Square to make a couple of pounds, since her family is in desperate need of money. “I suffer from working irregular hours and dream of having a decent job. We don't have health insurance or a stable income. I hope that the President will provide us with good jobs thanks to his renaissance project," said Zakiyya Amin Suleiman, a street seller.
Ahmed Mohamed Saeed, 22, a student at the faculty of engineering, maintained that the street sellers should be entitled to formal papers.
“I know them well from staying in the Square. I collect all sorts of waste, newspapers, posters and stuff and make hats out if it. Then I glue Morsi's photo on the hats. People are quite keen to buy my hats and pay LE10 for one," Ahmed elaborated. “I call on Morsi to issue formal licenses to the street sellers, whose number exceeds 1,000. They need to support their families," Saeed stressed.
“I'm terribly worried about Egypt's future. President Morsi comes from a religious movement. I hope he will fulfill his promises and restore Egypt's pioneering role in the Middle East," said Hamed Fathi, a 27 year-old flag seller. “The revolutionaries must demand the full implementation of the revolution's goals and the sovereignty of the law."
An escaped prisoner could also be seen in Tahrir Square. He expressed his fears about injustice. “During the revolution, the police disappeared from the streets and many prisoners escaped. I'm one of them! And I'm terrified of returning voluntarily to the prison. I ask President Morsi to pardon us," Abdel-Rahman Shehata, a painter, told Al-Gomhuria newspaper.


Clic here to read the story from its source.