Around 4000 Egyptians protested in Tahrir Square today pressing for the remaining demands of the revolution.
The protesters said that they will not be satisfied with cabinet reshuffling and demanded to change the entire cabinet, starting with Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq, and replace it with a government of experts. They also demanded an end to the state of emergency, the dismantlement of the state’s security apparatus, and the release of all political prisoners.
The state security body within the Ministry of Interior is known for its use of excessive force against political activists.
Protesters called for prosecuting former officials, including ousted President Hosni Mubarak and people responsible for killing protesters during the 25 January revolution.
Many of the protesters contained personal grievances concerning unemployment and wages which they did not believe the current government would resolve.
Wagih Afify Salama, director of the Arabic Center for Strategic and Political Studies, joined the protesters in support of their demands.
Salama said that the government must be changed because “it bears the residues of corruption.” He added that a time table should be announced for lifting the state of emergency and that all the political detainees must be released immediately.
Ziyad al-Eleimy, member in the revolution’s youth coalition, which helped organize protests since 25 January, said that the group did not organize this latest protest and was unable to determine who did.
Al-Eleimy said that the group respects people’s right to demonstrate but failed to officially participate because its members are busy preparing for another protest on Friday.
Some of the protesters vowed to stay in the square until their demands are met.
