Protestors' numbers are growing, yet many Egyptians are worried they will undermine stability
On the fifth day of protests in Tahrir Square, Egypt’s military ruler Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi addressed the nation with the offer of concessions including a referendum on the immediate transfer of power to a civilian government, and the election of a president by July 2012.
His pre-recorded address also angrily defended the army’s record during the transitional period and said they had been “patient” in the face of “insults.”
His words had little effect on the hundreds of thousands of protestors gathered in Tahrir Square, who responded with enraged chants of “Leave, leave.” An effigy of Tantawi in military uniform dangled from a lamppost on the square.
Activists’ calls for a “million-man march” on Tahrir Square had been effective, with crowds growing throughout the day. As the death toll rose to 36 after fierce fighting
atimoshenko
Patience in the face of “insults”? Seriously? The poor, delicate flower of a Field Marshall!
If a nation wants real change, it must, must, must push all the way, and not stop at the first scraps of concessions. Such change is always very difficult, and this is also why it happens so infrequently. Yes, Egyptians must understand that if they continue on the current path, things will get worse (from a daily life point of view) before they get better. The decision to make, then, is if the hope of a brighter future is worth the sacrifice.