Supporters of excluded presidential hopeful Hazem Salah Abu Ismail began a sit-in in Tahrir Square Saturday morning, as the square became quiet and traffic almost returned to normal following a mass protest on Friday.
On Friday, tens of thousands of Egyptians, mostly Islamists, flocked to Tahrir for a march dubbed “The Friday for Protecting the Revolution and Self-Determination.” They called on Egypt’s military rulers to stick by earlier promises to hand over power by mid-year, after the presidential election.
Other protestors denounced what they called a "plot" against Abu Ismail, who was excluded from the race due to the American nationality of his mother. They accused the military council of excluding him because Ismail is determined to apply Sharia law.
The council took power 14 months ago after mass demonstrations in Tahrir and elsewhere forced Hosni Mubarak's resignation, and has led Egypt during a period marked by violence and protests against their handling of the transition to democracy.
Protestors set up around 10 big podiums in Tahrir Friday, most of which were dismantled late in the day. The April 6 Youth Movement dismantled their stage on Saturday morning.
Supporters of Abu Ismail said their sit-in would continue until the fate of their candidate is decided.
Khaled Abdallah, an Abu Ismail supporter, said he is taking part to call for the departure of the ruling military council and for the amendment of Article 28 of the Constitutional Declaration, which gives the presidential election commission immunity against appeals of its decisions. He added that he wants the commission's members changed.
Abdallah said he believes the documents that caused the exclusion of Abu Ismail are forged. He also said that if Abu Ismail had run and lost, his supporters would have not objected.
They have not decided what their next step will be, he added.
Saeed Ahmed, another Abu Ismail supporter, said he is participating in the sit-in because “the US does not want Egypt to have a genuine democracy. That's why that scheme against Abu Ismail was planned.”
Abu Ismail’s supporters formed committees around Tahrir to secure the protesters.
