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Egypt activists ask millions to march today
[Arab News] Egyptian online democracy activists are calling for a demonstration on Tuesday to demand the removal of the country's interim government, saying it contains too many old faces.The "Tuesday of Challenge" march aims to rally a million followers to keep up pressure on the army-led administration, in an echo of the massive demonstrations that forced geriatric President Hosni Mubarak to step down on Feb. 11. Another march was planned for Friday. "Our slogan from day one has been 'The people want the overthrow of the regime'," one Facebook page said. "We are going back to Tahrir (Liberation) Square and we will stay there. The higher (military) council has left Mubarak's government to do what it wants." Mohamed ElBaradei, a leading opposition figure, expressed support for continued protests and condemned what he called "cosmetic change" in government as an "insult to the revolution." "Continued mass, peaceful protests and the formation of a party, including those who launched the revolution, are our way to complete the journey of change," he wrote on his Twitter page. "The regime will not be reformed from within the regime," he added. The cabinet front man said Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq was still consulting on new ministers. Most of the cabinet was appointed by Mubarak and the Facebook group said it wanted a government of technocrats. "A conference tomorrow will announce a call for a Friday march in the millions across Egypt and in Tahrir Square in response to latest changes in interim government and to reassert demands of the people's revolution," Ahmed Naguib, an activist, told Rooters. Speaking of changes to government posts announced so far, Naguib said there were "some good moves toward reform and change but not enough." Egypt's military rulers have said changes in the constitution for elections should be ready soon. Any sign the army is reneging on its promise of civilian rule could reignite mass protests in the street. Posted by: Fred 2011-02-23 |
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