Egypt: Fresh Clashes in Cairo Over Morsy Decree
Egypt: Fresh Clashes in Cairo Over Morsy Decree
Fresh clashes broke out in Cairo Wednesday near Tahrir Square, as riot police fired tear gas and charged at Egyptian protesters angry over a move by President Mohamed Morsy to extend his powers.
Dozens of police officers — backed by trucks firing tear gas — advanced across Simon Boulevard Square, arresting many young people, some of whom were beaten by officers. Protesters continued to throw stones at police.
The latest clashes come after protesters swarmed into the square Tuesday night into Wednesday, hoping to revive a democratic groundswell that swept the country’s former strongman from power nearly two years ago.
Demonstrators waved flags and banners, chanted slogans and called on their first freely elected leader to roll back last week’s decree giving himself expanded presidential powers — or resign. The crowd included many different Egyptian factions, including Western-style liberals, secularists, moderates and women’s rights activists.
“I’m here because this is our country — all of us,” one woman told CNN. “It’s not just for our president.”
But Morsy showed no signs of backing down.
Egypt’s Cabinet chief, Mohamed Refa’a al-Tahtawi, said there will be no retreat from the constitutional decree, state-run EGYNews reported. He reportedly stressed the president would not back down because his actions were motivated by democratic aims