Ten protesters in Tahrir Square began a hunger strike at 6PM on Sunday in response to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak’s refusal to relinquish power. Mubarak announced on Friday that although he had fired his cabinet, he intends to remain in power despite the continuing nationwide unrest that began last Tuesday. Millions of protesters have repeatedly demanded that Mubarak leave.
The protesters decided that one person would join the hunger strike every 15 minutes until Mubarak relinquishes power. The strikers raised banners that said, “We will strike until Mubarak goes.”
Meanwhile, Mohamed ElBaradei greeted protesters in Tahrir Square, assuring them that their demands cannot be ignored. Earlier on Sunday, he said in an interview with CNN that Mubarak must heed protesters’ demands and relinquish his grip on power.
At 7PM on Sunday, military helicopters continued to circle above the tens of thousands of protesters who stayed out despite an official 2PM curfew.
