Now that you are caught up, let's analyze what is currently going on. Yesterday, President Mubarak announced that he would not run for reelection allowing for a "smoother" transfer of power to give the protesters what they want. The thing is, that the protesters want him out now. He has refused to leave his position until the September elections, and said that he will "die on Egyptian soil."
Some fear that till the September elections come, Mubarak will use his power to get rid of most his political opponents and help put in place one of his cronies. A legitimate fear which has sparked the anger of much of the protesters.
Speaking of which, the protests have set up barricades to block out police men from kicking them out of Tahrir Square. A short period after his address to the nation, Mubarak has ordered the removal of the protests from the Square. The protests have turned violent as I write these words as, what many describe as "government thugs," ride on horses and camels attacking protesters. There were further clashes between pro and anti government forces.
Given that these pro-government forces weren't very apparent or large at the beginning of the opposition to the Mubarak Regime, it is difficult to see why they would grow in size right after Mubarak strongly pushed protesters to stop what they were doing after he agreed to leave his post by the next election cycle.
At the same time, there have been large instances of reporters being attacked, by these "mobs" even after the government restrictions and harassment by officials. Many from CNN, ABC, BBC and several Belgian reporters were attacked with rocks and some were even surrounded by the mobs. Others from Al Jazeera and Al Arabiya were also greatly harassed as several were sent to the hospital for immediate care.
Reports show that 1 person has died in the clashes as 611 are wounded.
I have no doubt that peaceful resistance is what is necessary, but the violence is not a product of the anti government movement. The violence was/is instigated by the Mubarak Regime to break up the protests, and although I don't believe that this will result in a Tienanmen Square, I may have turned out that way, had the military not actively chosen not to kill other Egyptians.
The government is finally taking larger steps to crack down on the protesters but in a way that is less direct; using gangs, mobs, and thugs riding horses, camels and on foot to intimidate protesters. The move is low, but expected of such a regime. The Egyptians should do their best to maintain a good and peaceful protest. Word is spreading of a major protest in Alexandria called the "Day of Farewell" for Mubarak. I doubt it will be peaceful since the government will instigate violence, but I don't think it can be acceptable that Mubarak wait to transition from power.
This video is to show you just how quickly things are happening.... and changing:
Do not rely on this blog to keep you up to date, use some good news channels because as I post only once a day, my posts can very quickly be outdated! There is a Anti Mubarak protest going on against in Boston that I will hopefully make my way to this Saturday, get some videos pictures and more! I'll also be attending an analysis of Lebanon, Tunisia, and Egypt at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and will fill you guys all in!
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