Egyptians are no strangers to long queues, which they have endured for years in order to be able to buy bread or meet a government official. But on Friday, thousands of Egyptians stood in line outside Tahrir Square waiting to be allowed in to continue their calls for the president's ouster.
Thousands lined up, from the checkpoints surrounding Tahrir Square all the way up to Kasr al-Nil Bridge–and more kept coming. Even though many haven’t yet been able to access the square, protesters shout: “Mubarak is going down tonight.”
People are insisting on getting into the square, which has become a "symbol of freedom.” They identify it as a shrine for the victims that fell during the violence that broke out in the square last Wednesday, and as a place that they conquered in their hard-fought war against the regime–a place they aren't willing to lose again.
“This is where our martyrs fell. We want to get in because it’s the square of liberation,” says one protester.
“Tahrir square is the only free place in Egypt,” adds another.
“The square represents the people, the resistance and the battle against injustice,” says yet another.
Tahrir has also become a place where protesters feel safety in numbers. “Tahrir is a place where we unite. Without it, the ministry of interior can separate us,” says one demonstrator.
Many people have come from other governorates to be able to take part in the ongoing protest in Tahrir.
“I’ve been waiting to get in the square since 10 AM, but I’m willing to stand here all night just to have the honor of stepping on the square's hallowed ground,” says one protester who left Zaqaziq at 6 AM to join the protest.
Another protester came from Mansoura and vows to stay until he gets into the square.
Wednesday’s violent attacks on protesters had the unexpected effect of driving even more people to the protest.
“We don’t trust the regime. We didn’t know what they would do to our brothers in there, so we went to be with them,” says one demonstrator.
“For a second, I was too scared to come. But I would have been ashamed if I didn’t participate in what’s happening here,” says another.
“I’m not scared. I can die anywhere, “ chimes in a third.
Protesters trying to get into the square shouted “Rest in peace our martyrs, we will continue the fight.”
The protesters are not considering the possibility of deserting the square, despite promises given by President Hosni Mubarak and his new government not to use force against demonstrators.
“The head of corruption is still here. We lost faith in Mubarak and his whole team,” says one protester.
Some demonstrators are staying because they believe that, if they leave at this point, the regime will crack down on them even harder than before.
“He is diligent and we are diligent. Whoever of us will win will kill the other,” says a protester.
Even though protesters in Tahrir Square have been there for an exhausting ten days, and have endured numerous casualties, they believe the results will be worth their sacrifices.
“Egypt is undergoing a rebirth, and birth includes pain and suffering–but then it leads to growth and prosperity,” says a protester.
People heading to Tahrir Square condemn recent calls for them to go home in order to preserve "Egypt’s stability."
“The cowardly people want to eat and live and they don’t care about their freedom. They don’t mind being beaten by shoes as long as they have food,” says one demonstrator.
“We are here for our dignity, not our livelihoods,” says another, stressing the people’s readiness to sacrifice their well-being–even their lives–to realize their demands.
