Egyptians continue to flock to Cairo's Tahrir Square where the uprising that toppled former President Hosni Mubarak broke out a year ago.
Thousands of protesters marched Wednesday from Al-Azhar mosque to Tahrir after dawn prayers, the first marchers to arrive in the square around 10 am.
Those participating called on the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces to hand over power to civilians. At Abdel Moneim Riyad Square, they chanted, "Yes, inside Al-Azhar we chant, 'Down, down with military rule.'"
Tens of thousands of protesters were already gathered in the square Wednesday morning, some to push for continuing the revolution and others to celebrate its first anniversary, and their numbers were growing.
While the Muslim Brotherhood's stage played the national anthem and other patriotic songs, protesters chanted, "The people want to execute the Field Marshal," referring to military ruler Hussein Tantawi.
Demonstrators started to arrive in the square early Wednesday, hoisting Egyptian flags and banners calling for the fulfillment of the revolution's unmet goals.
Preparations for the event continued in spite of bad weather and heavy rain late Tuesday. A number of demonstrators secured the square's entrances, while others moved to clean the area because rain puddles were impeding foot traffic.
Several political and activist groups set up stages, the biggest of which is the Brotherhood's stage near Omar Makram Mosque. The group set up more than 20 loudspeakers and put up signs reading, "The first anniversary … celebrations and new demands," "The people demand the retrieval of their stolen money," "Hand over power," and "Stop military prosecution for civilians." Other activist groups, especially liberals, set up across from the Brotherhood's stage, which triggered brief quarrels between the camps.
Members of liberal groups said the Brotherhood is attempting to flex its muscles with its huge stage, and revolutionary coalitions asked the group members not to play songs, telling them the protests are meant to push for revolution goals, not celebrate what they see as an unfinished fight.
The leftist Wafd Party and other liberal forces set up a platform near Talaab Harb Street. Some protesters had made futile calls for all groups to rally on one collective stage.
Protesters set up checkpoints at several entrances to the square, including Mohamed Mahmoud Street, where the Interior Ministry is located, and Qasr al-Aini Street, which leads to the cabinet. They used barbed wire to protect some important facilities. Others helped organize traffic movement at detours opened when the square was closed to drivers late Tuesday.
According to Al-Masry Al-Youm, another group joined police in guarding the Egyptian Museum, which was a target for looters during the uprising. The museum has been closed since Monday and is scheduled to reopen Thursday.
Revolutionary coalitions created a memorial inside the square's central island featuring the photos of protesters killed over the past year.
The Health Ministry set up 30 ambulance and makeshift clinics near Omar Makram Mosque.
Members of the Facebook page “We are sorry Mr. President” posted a message warning protesters to stay away from the medical center on the Cairo-Ismailia Desert Road where Mubarak is hospitalized.
The right of peaceful demonstration in guaranteed inside the square, but don’t ask us about peacefulness when you think of going to the hospital, the page read.
