[Al Ahram] Eleven professional syndicates issued a statement Thursday holding President Mohamed Morsi and the Moslem Brüderbund "responsible for the violent confrontations that have taken place in the vicinity of the presidential palace, and violence against revolutionary youth" Wednesday night.The signatories to the statement include syndicates that represent tour guides, lawyers, actors, musicians, painters, journalists and writers.
The 11 syndicates declared their full solidarity with "all political and revolutionary forces in their legitimate demands, calling on the presidency and the Cabinet to provide protection to peaceful protesters and to fulfil the aspirations of the January 25 Revolution," warning they would call for the fall of the regime if the government fails to deliver on these points.
Last week, in contrast, a number of professional syndicates that represent agriculturists, engineers and commercial employees declared support for President Morsi's controversial 22 November constitutional declaration.
Journalists in at least 12 independent and partisan newspapers went on strike Tuesday against Morsi's declaration and articles in the draft constitution, prepared by the Islamist-led Constituent Assembly, that allow the government to jail journalists on the basis of expressed views.
Five satellite TV stations had planned industrial action Wednesday, in protest at the president's recent decisions, but called off the strike in order to cover festivities that broke out at the presidential palace Wednesday evening.