Major protests broke out today nationwide in Egypt, with many marchers condemning President Mursi’s recent declaration of complete unchecked power, and they clashed with pro-Mursi demonstrators as well as police.
Marchers in Tahrir Square used the same “the people want to bring down the regime” chant that was so common during last year’s revolution, while police responded violently. In other cities, protesters reportedly attacked Muslim Brotherhood members and burned one of the organization’s buildings.
Clashes in some places continued late into the evening, while in Tahrir Square protesters staged an overnight sit-in. Despite the anger and violence, Mursi defended his edict, insisting it was a necessary part of his work of “social and economic stability,” while downplaying the opposition.
Mursi had quite a bit of goodwill built up earlier this week in brokering the Gaza ceasefire, and seems to have burned through it and then some. It remains to be seen, with police harshly cracking down on dissent, if Egypt’s protesters can sustain another protracted rally against an all-powerful president.
All the Egyptians I know are supporting his decision, and polls show overwhelming support. Remember that it was Morsi and the Islamists, not Western-leaning secularists like al-Baradai, who won with large majorities.The people are waiting for a new Constitution and a new parliament, but the losers are complaining that the committee to make the Constitution has too many Islamists (hey, that's your democracy – the will of the people!) and they're constantly making appeals and trying to stop the committee from doing its work, which was supposed to finish in December. As one friend explained, it's just running in an endless loop, and she's glad that Morsi stopped them. (By the way, his 'unchecked' power is only until a new Constitution and parliament is in place.)
I don't know enough about Egyptian politics to comment on the process or reasons for the "power grab"…but…I do have a pretty good grasp on how people react and why…so… "…his 'unchecked' power is only until a new Constitution and parliament is in place…" power does strange things to people's outlook sometimes…so…we'll see what happens when the Constitution is completed.
Perhaps you could explain who the people are who are complaining…besides being just "losers" – what are the demographics? Are they just anti-Islamists?
Yes, they are anti-Islamists. Egypt had a revolution, but some of the same people are in place and are doing everything they can to block the committee from writing the new Constitution. The people are sick of this and want some progress, and the only way to get moving is to force the situation. As you said, time will tell, but the people who know Morsi don't think he's trying to become a dictator.
Is a dictatorial autocracy as before.., nothing has changed for the better but it will for the worse. Look religious, in general, need to be separated from politics. They use people weakness in what people don't have using it to oppress for what they (religious dictatorial regime) wants, a religious power where democracy will be demolished in time.
The Green Party in Iran tried but failed to change Iran into a Western secular democracy, namely a government that allows the 51% most wealthy to enslave and impoverish the lower half of society.
Comes now Egypt to be 90% Muslim, the majority to vote for a Muslim President and the will of the majority to clearly be for a Muslim Constitution.
So, I agree with the other two posters, give Morsi some slack. For CommonDreams and all the rest of our mainstream media is crucifying Morsi, and as the old saying goes, to know a man’s enemies is to know if there be any integrity in him.
Minorities still need guarantees of rights. Sure, the population doesn't want Mubarak's friends going against the popular will. Secularists, Christians, Feminists all need a minimum of rights. Otherwise you will have a Sunni version of Shia Iran. Two wrongs don't make a right. Morsi is too fat, I never trust a politician that is too fat. He might end up being a Egyptian version of Sharon who was a disaster for peace.
BUT… BUT… BUT… Didn't the Continental Army keep King Georges Judges…. To KEEP things fair…LOL.. Those American puppet cum employees were too fair….. They let off empires stooges who murdered the protesters in Tahir Square…. Keep the Mubarak Judges…. Might as well keep Mubarak. You will end up with the same policies…. Send them to Miami and L.A to hang with a long list of empire's collaborator……….. from Cuba, Vietnam, Iran Iraq Afghanistan… They're from empire's many failed projects…….
it's amazing to see some worthwhile websites praising mursi on this & claiming the West & Israel are against him! LOL.
14 Nov: BBC: EU 'approves $6.4bn Egypt financial aid package'
Egypt is expected to sign a memorandum of understanding with IMF representatives for a $4.8bn loan this week… http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-20322…
Yet, more
than three quarters of Egyptians voted for someone other than Mr Mursi in
the first round of the presidential election. In the second round, he only
just barely won against a candidate who was overwhelming recognised as the
candidate against the revolution – hardly an overwhelming victory providing
Mr Mursi with revolutionary legitimacy… http://english.alarabiya.net/views/2012/11/24/251…