Ultimatum Friday

There were tragic events on Wednesday, December 5th. After protesting in front of the Presidential Palace on Tuesday, the Muslim Brotherhood announced they would protest the next day. This announcement set the stage for a showdown, as tensions were high between the polarized groups.

In the end, more than 800 were injured and 6 killed during the clashes between the two groups.

Today, thousands of protestors converged at the Presidential Palace to protest President Morsi once more, and to give him an ultimatum: leave now, or face the anger of the people. Shouts and signs of "Er7al! Er7al!" (Leave, Leave) defined the protest.

The military and Republican Guard built a cement-block wall up in the area where the clashes happened on Wednesday, and stationed tanks around the palace. Many protestors tried to dismantle the barbed wire so that they could cross. Angry shouts were exchanged between the Republican Guard and the Opposition protestors.

A big thanks to Ramez Takawy for his help today, being the man with the eyes and ears in the crowd! Much indebted, ya Ramez!

As of this writing, protestors finally cleared the barricade and surrounded the presidential palace.

On a side note: I was asked to speak to BBC World about the situation here in Egypt regarding the protests: 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/whys (Click the December 6th link)

A protestor in a Guy Fawkes mask stands at the barricade erected by the military. Many protestors wear the masks, reminiscent of the movie 'V for Vendetta.'

A protestor in a Guy Fawkes mask stands at the barricade erected by the military. Many protestors wear the masks, reminiscent of the movie 'V for Vendetta.'

A member of the Egyptian military gestures with the sign to 'Wait!' at protestors. Protestors and the military exchanged heated words (at times) through the barbed wire.

A member of the Egyptian military gestures with the sign to 'Wait!' at protestors. Protestors and the military exchanged heated words (at times) through the barbed wire.

Members of the military and Republican Guard watch as a protestor, on top of the cement wall/barrier hangs a sign from the barbed wire. 

Members of the military and Republican Guard watch as a protestor, on top of the cement wall/barrier hangs a sign from the barbed wire. 

Many are angry at Morsi for doing little to address the ongoing constitutional issue, as well as take blame for the violence that occurred outside the Presidential Palace on Wednesday, December 5th.

Many are angry at Morsi for doing little to address the ongoing constitutional issue, as well as take blame for the violence that occurred outside the Presidential Palace on Wednesday, December 5th.

A hand reaches over to untie the wire holding the barbed wire together. More and more protestors climbed atop the barricade to dismantle the wire. Many people complained about the wire, demanding it go so they could protest in front of the palace.

A hand reaches over to untie the wire holding the barbed wire together. More and more protestors climbed atop the barricade to dismantle the wire. Many people complained about the wire, demanding it go so they could protest in front of the palace.

Members of the military and Republican Guard link arms in anticipation of protestors crossing the barrier. It was later breached, and protestors flooded the street in front of the Palace. The Guard, surprisingly, showed them no resistance.
Members of the military and Republican Guard link arms in anticipation of protestors crossing the barrier. It was later breached, and protestors flooded the street in front of the Palace. The Guard, surprisingly, showed them no resistance.
A member of the military jokes with a protestor as he is handed candy. In order to diffuse the tension, soldiers passed over Egyptian flags to the protestors, and protestors handed the soldiers candy or small items in return.

A member of the military jokes with a protestor as he is handed candy. In order to diffuse the tension, soldiers passed over Egyptian flags to the protestors, and protestors handed the soldiers candy or small items in return.

The 'Ultras', a group of hardcore football fans, chant 'Jika! Jika!' in memory of their member who recently succumbed to his injuries. He was shot by the Central Security Forces during the clashes on Mohamed Mahmoud Street two weeks ago.

The 'Ultras', a group of hardcore football fans, chant 'Jika! Jika!' in memory of their member who recently succumbed to his injuries. He was shot by the Central Security Forces during the clashes on Mohamed Mahmoud Street two weeks ago.

These laser pointers have become a common sight at the protests. They're used by some of the Ultras to shine on news cameras (blocking them), or to sight tear gas canisters in the night sky as they fall, in order to avoid injuries.

These laser pointers have become a common sight at the protests. They're used by some of the Ultras to shine on news cameras (blocking them), or to sight tear gas canisters in the night sky as they fall, in order to avoid injuries.