Giant protest kicks off in Egypt (Reporters Are Stating Over 1,000,000 so far)

[Turborama]

Source: Al Jazeera English



=snip=

"The square is absolutely packed, there is hardly standing room for people. Tens of thousands of people are still streaming towards the square," she said.

Our producer in Egypt reports on the latest developments

"The mood and atmosphere is incredible."

Our correspondent said the army was "facilitating" the protests.

Soldiers at Tahrir Square have formed a human chain around protesters, and are checking people as they enter for weapons. Tanks have been positioned near the square, and officers have been checking identity papers.



Read more: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/02/2011215827193882.html

---

The main article is updated regularly. As is this live blog: http://blogs.aljazeera.net/middle-east/2011/01/31/live-blog-feb-1-egypt-protests

On the banner at the bottom of http://english.aljazeera.net/watch_now/">the live feed.

Egyptian Army Arrests "Saboteurs and Thugs" Entering Cairo's Tahrir Square

Will add more details when I find them

[florida08]

1. morning Turborama ...sure looks like a million

What does it take to remove a despot

[dd2003]

34. amazing

what a great democratic protest

[lunatica]

2. When a million people show up on two days notice you best listen

I wonder if Mubarak sees the writing on the wall yet.

[molly77]

3. Thank you beautiful Egyptians

for leading the way. We have to do the same thing, just procrastinate over here.

[bdamomma]

18. we could learn alot from them, People Power does still exist.

[grahamhgreen]

23. Just remember, no one had a clue that this was about to happen. We could see the same thing here.

I think that's why they're trying to pass the "Internet kill switch bill".

[molly77]

24. Protesters are singing and picking up trash.

Be nice. Must remember . Helps things to go smoother.

[Turborama]

4. They're reporting the crowd size has grown to over 2 million now.

http://english.aljazeera.net/watch_now/

[Overseas]

5. K&R ! //nt

[seafan]

6. From AlJazeera, 8:45 am, February 1, 2011, Tahrir Square:

From AlJazeera via LINK TV:


8:45 am ET (3:45 pm local time in Egypt)


1. Tahrir Square jammed with what is estimated to be nearly 2 million people. People on the ground say the numbers are increasing. People from all sections of society.

2. The Army arrests "saboteurs and thugs" infiltrating the demonstrations.

3. Military police have erected barbed wire around the Mubarak residence in Cairo.

4. Immense banner that reads 'People demand removal of the regime.'

5. Opposition groups agree Mubarak has lost legitimacy and must step down.

6. Mubarak has maintained "a cold peace" with Israel for 30 years instead of an active peace, states Jacky Rowland in Cairo.

7. US State Department has ordered all non-emergency government personnel to leave Egypt.

8. Omar Sharif, the actor, is supporting the young people.

9. LINK TV on-site journalist says it 'is a party-like atmosphere... everyone is very relaxed in Tahrir Square. Egyptian state TV cameras are trained on the Square, and people are using their phones.'


King Abdullah of Jordan has sacked his government.


The Middle East analyst on LINK TV interview right now (9:15 am ET) says that the other Middle Eastern countries' leaders are in panic mode, because they could be next.

This analyst says Mubarak's reign will likely last at most 2 more days, and it may be only hours in reality. There is no going back for Mubarak.

[riverwalker]

7. Incredible. Most recent Tweets

joygarnett‎ RT @qaisr: So far, 5 million people are in the streets all over #Egypt #jan25 #feb1

Pnthrgrlgail‎ RT @Cyberela: RT @draddee: We can hear crowds in Tahrir sq now singing the Egyptian national anthem. #Jan25 #Feb1 #Egypt

ewaromir‎ RT @shawkattraghib: ~Egyptian National Anthem~ first time to be chanted by millions at a time..OMG #Egypt #Tahrir #Jan25 #1M #Feb1
Twitter - 15 minutes ago


MagsNews‎ There are up to 5 million people protesting against Mubarak across #Egypt. #Feb1
Twitter - 1 minute ago

certhiida‎ RT @angienassar: Al-Jazeera reporter says 8 milliion in total have taken to the streets of the country Tuesday #Egypt #Feb1 #Jan25
Twitter - 3 minutes ago


ShawkattRaghib‎ Most of #Cairo Restaurants to distribute free lunch boxes to #Tahrir square. #Egypt #Jan25 #1M #Feb1

wmnfnews‎ RT @AymanM: Ppl still flowing into tahrir sq in largest gathering yet. Atmosphere festive & defiant #Egypt #jan25 #feb1 (via phone)
Twitter - 1 minute ago

solipsis13‎ RT @sarahbethlynch: Just visited a makeshift infirmary set up in a room of a mosque near Tahrir Square. 30 doctors on staff here. #Egypt #Feb1
Twitter - 2 minutes ago

MandyMerzaban‎ Egypt defining "community": volunteer doctors and ppl with water coming to help in Tahrir square via Al Jazeera #Jan25 #Feb1 #Egypt
Twitter - 1 minute ago

[Turborama]

8. They just reported that 100 people are dead in Alexandria. Interviewing someone there now

link below...

[Turborama]

9. Truck full of weapons has just been stopped by the army outside the square.

[florida08]

43. don't know how reliable this source is but

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/163052.html

[paparush]

10. We don't want your $$. Just support our Liberty (pic)

[tavalon]

14. Hey, remember that "I'm Sorry" website that cropped up after 2004?

I wonder if anyone is doing a "We Support You" picture website? I know they wouldn't be able to see it right now because of the internet lock down (what the fuck!?) but they might hear of it. The US government is showing no propensity to take the moral high ground here, but aware citizens of the US are and we are backing them with our hearts and our prayers.

[bdamomma]

19. I wish we could get our message of solidarity to them.

we had enough with the US propping up dictatorship regimes.

[bdamomma]

28. how can we get our message to them that we stand

in solidarity with them. The Internet being down out there does not help thus promoting oppression is still being done.

[tavalon]

11. While I worry about the endpoint of this revolution,

because any revolution can careen out of control at any time and things can end up worse than they were, I am nonetheless choosing to be overjoyed in this moment at the indomitable human spirit being exhibited by these people in these last few days.

I genuinely hope they get the freedom they wish and it comes in a manner they wish. And I hope our government doesn't step in and muck it up. As I'm sure most here are aware, we've done that a few times over there. I can't think of more than one time, maybe two, when it made anything measurably better.

[GliderGuider]

13. No matter how it turns out,

With the revolution they at least have a chance, without it they had no chance at all.
Egyptians, :yourock:

[tavalon]

15. Yes, that is true

That is a good take away lesson. Thank you.

[bulloney]

12. This is why people in power here want to place restrictions on the internet.

Too much information to too many of the right people threatens the status quo.

I'd love to see 2 million people protesting at the estates of the Koch brothers while they're trapped inside.

[justiceischeap]

16. They're reporting 5-8 million country wide.

When more people protest against your regime than actually voted in the last elections (about 3 million) then it's time to pull your suitcase out of the closet and get packing. To use an American phrase, I'd say the people of Egypt now have the mandate.

[bdamomma]

17. anyone listening to Al Jazeera?

I hope Mubarak steps down for the will of the 2 million people, I mean listen to the people damn it!!

[suffragette]

20. "Alexandria youth 'protecting library' "

"Alexandria youth 'protecting library from looters'
Director of Bibliotheca Alexandrina issues message of thanks to young people he says are defending building from 'thugs'

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/feb/01/alexandria-youth-protecting-library?CMP=twt_gu

The director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina has announced that his building, built in commemoration of the famous ancient library destroyed in antiquity, is being kept safe by Egypt's young people during the current unrest sweeping the country.

In a statement on the library's site, Ismail Serageldin tells "friends around the world" that the library is being protected by the city's youth from the threat of looting by the "lawless bands of thugs, and maybe agents provocateurs" who have materialised since the popular protests sweeping through Egypt's major cities began several days ago.

"The young people organised themselves into groups that directed traffic, protected neighborhoods and guarded public buildings of value such as the Egyptian Museum and the Library of Alexandria," he states. "They are collaborating with the army. This makeshift arrangement is in place until full public order returns."

[grahamhgreen]

22. " agents provocateurs", Mubaraks men, have been arrested by the military according to

Democracy Now.

[suffragette]

26. Thanks for heads-up on Democracy Now - Links for that

http://www.democracynow.org/2011/2/1/headlines/looting_tied_to_backers_of_mubarak_regime

Looting Tied to Backers of Mubarak Regime

Ahead of today’s rally in Egypt, the army arrested a number of government-backed "saboteurs and thugs" trying to infiltrate the protests. Meanwhile, the Mubarak regime is being accused of orchestrating some of the looting that has occurred in recent days in an attempt to stoke fear of instability. Human Rights Watch has revealed evidence tying undercover police officers loyal to Mubarak to acts of violence and looting. The United Nations human rights chief says she has received unconfirmed reports that up to 300 people may have been killed in Egypt over the past week.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/01/AR2011020100903.html
Looters included undercover Egyptian police, hospitals tell Human Rights Watch
By Leila Fadel
Tuesday, February 1, 2011; 8:36 AM

CAIRO - Human Rights Watch confirmed several cases of undercover police loyal to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's regime committing acts of violence and looting in an attempt to stoke fear of instability as demonstrations grew stronger Tuesday against the autocratic leader.

Peter Bouckaert, the emergency director at Human Rights Watch, said hospitals confirmed that they received several wounded looters shot by the army carrying police identification cards. They also found several cases of looters and vandals in Cairo and Alexandria with police identification cards. He added that it was "unexplainable" that thousands of prisoners escaped from prisons over the weekend.

"Mubarak's mantra to his own people was that he was the guarantor of the nation's stability. It would make sense that he would want to send the message that without him, there is no safety," Bouckaert said.


And Mother Jones has an article on "Mubarak's Human Rights Record" which includes historical examples of the police behavior. Got to article for links within paragraph:
http://motherjones.com/mojo/2011/01/mubaraks-human-rights-record

Police Violence

Videos from recent events show brutal clashes with protesters.
Last June, Amnesty International reported 28-year-old Khaled Mohammed Said was beaten to death by police. The police covered it up by filing a report that he had overdosed on drugs. The photo obtained by Amnesty begs to differ.
Police brutality worsened during last year's elections. Plainclothes officers often allowed, or even encouraged, thugs to beat and rape protesters and journalists, according to Human Rights Watch. Security barred access to polling sites and voter intimidation was rampant.

[grahamhgreen]

30. This is typical of the right wing, create the violence and then claim

You have to be draconian in order to stop it. It's one of the reasons I'm distrustful of the official 9-11 storyline.

[Shining Jack]

29. That's amazing.

:)

[suffragette]

33. Wonderful, isn't it?

The kids are alright!

[grahamhgreen]

21. Go Egypt! I wonder how far democracy will spread?

Can it make it back here?

[valerief]

25. This is great. When America has 1 million people marching, it's a total media blackout. nt

[bdamomma]

31. so really we are being oppressed too.

[suffragette]

27. K&R

Thanks for the thread!

[Turborama]

32. Some great pics from HuffPo's front page...

More: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/

[Playinghardball]

35. Are there enough portable toilets?

It's going to be a real smelly mess if there aren't enought.....

[paparush]

36. Citizens demanding freedom. And we didn't even have to invade!

I mean, c'mon, what's wrong with these people. Don't the KNOW that freedom only happens as a result of sustained US air strikes, cruise missile attacks, the insertion of thousands of ground troops, civilian casualties, and billions going to the US defense industry?

:sarcasm:

[highplainsdem]

37. K&R

[mainer]

38. You can't help wondering... would this have happened in Iraq

eventually? Could Saddam have been overthrown by the Iraqi people without our marching in and sacrificing the lives of so many Iraqis and Americans?

The most moving events in history are about people liberating themselves -- not outsiders forcing liberation on them.

[bdamomma]

41. if the Iraqis had a chance yes, they would have done the same thing.

but what you see in Egypt is all people and is not defined by any political system. All the power to the Egyptian people. Remember that motto: A government should be afraid of its people not the other way around. Yes definitely agree to that.

[Jefferson23]

39. What an outstanding display of courage and true determination..I rarely tear up..but this is truly

beautiful. All the very best for each of them and their future.

[suffragette]

40. Another pic

.

Young girls wave Egyptian flags atop an armored vehicle just outside Tahrir or Liberation Square in Cairo, Egypt, Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2011


from:http://www.komonews.com/news/national/115015034.html

[bdamomma]

42. Mubarak is an a$$

power is a bitch isn't it?? over 2 million people in the streets and the SOB is still defiant and not listening to the will of people. just totally sucks.

[florida08]

44. just now on AJE

Mubarak will make a statement shortly..please stand by

[Uncle Joe]

45. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, Turborama.