Today, we (myself & several other families from our church) spent much of the morning in Tahrir Square, viewing the aftermath of the protests (which are still continuing in much smaller numbers) & offering some help with the clean-up efforts, organized by the protestors themselves, via mostly volunteer labor. It was quite breathtaking to personally view Tahrir Square firsthand & watch some of the protesting that is still taking place.
I posted this pic (from Jan 29th) earlier on the blog, but wanted to offer it beside the one below (taken today). This is (was) the National Democratic Party (NDP) headquarters building.
View looking to the east (away from the Nile), into the center of Tahrir Square.
At the junction of one of the side streets that join Tahrir Square. The active protests were going on just to the right or this pic.
Continued active protests are taking place. From watching the news tonight, I think this was a protest by the Egyptian National Security Forces, asking for better pay & recognition that they are still here & never left. If you've been following the past 18 days events in Egypt, you'll recall that the news reported that much of the violence & unrest took place because these guys were nowhere to be found after the night of Fri, Jan 28th, when things really began to escalate as a result of the first violent clashes between the Security Forces (police) & the people. The Security Force also wants it recognized that they have long been harsh with the people because that's what they were ordered to do.
These fellows were very friendly & guided us around for a while, as we all worked to pick-up trash & organize for removal.
Joshua & his friend Grace (from school & church), to his left. I snapped this shot, just before a soldier told me "no picture" :) He didn't seem to want Westerners taking pictures, but was quite alright to let Egyptians take shots. Some of the others in our group simply passed their cameras to Egyptian civilians to get the shot :)
This was a Kentucky Fried Chicken...see the slogan above the counter "Finger licking good"? Looks like it likely got looted for food, as did several other restaurants in the area :(
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