(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - At 8am the weather was already hot in Tahrir Square. A few thousand were already in the square and there were popular committees all around the square and check points on every entrance with a lane for women and another one for men. The spirit of those on the check points reminded me of the sit-in that started in Tahrir on 28 January.
Yesterday the army announced that its forces will not be present anywhere near the demonstration and it seems that they are keeping their word. This is maybe why some of the protesters who came to square early today feel a bit cautious. The April 6 Youth Movement said yesterday that the "youth of the generation are capable of protecting the square" and that they will organise popular committees to work on preventing any tensions from escalating. They were not the only ones doing so in the early hours of the day.
When we arrived to the square there were already two stages assembled while another two were being built. The Idea of having many stages and platforms were not a good one for many protesters. "One stage, One Hand," they chanted, yet the work continued and small circles were formed where people were discussing the demands that already started to appear on some banners in the square. Some were calling for dismissing Deputy Prime Minister Yehia El-Gamal, others were criticising the transition plan and calling for the elections first. Criticism of the Supreme Council for Armed Forces was present as well.
Last night messages were already circulating on Twitter, Facebook and mobile phones with tips for the day. "To face the hot weather: drink a lot of fluids, put on sun block, stand in the shade if you feel tired, wear sunglasses," said one message. "Put a pack of rehydration solution in your pocket and drink it if you feel that you will be getting sun stroke," read another message. The phone numbers of the lawyers of the Egyptian Front for Defending the Egyptian Revolution were also circulated.
It is not clear yet how the day may end with people calling for a sit-in until all the demands are met and others saying that the day should end at 6pm.
Follow the events as they happen today in Tahrir Square and around Egypt as protesters take to the streets:
13:35 With the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces saying it won't interfere with today's protests, the intense heat was the biggest worry. So far it seems that behind a heavy sky, the sun has also not shown up.
13:32 Meanwhile up in Alexandria, tens of thousands are proteseting outside the El-Qaed Ibrahim Mosque calling for the same demands as those ringing round Tahrir Square.
13:30 On the main stage in Tahrir, prominent Judge Zakaria Abdel Aziz says there is not going to be any stability in the country unless the security choas is controlled. Karima Hefnawy, a senior member of Kefaya, asks why did the media try to scare people for the past three days from the protests in Tahrir Square. He goes on to ask who is responsible for the security vacuum in Egypt, adding that apologies from those who killed the people will not be accepted.
13:20 Away from Tahrir Square, a counter-protest has erupted in front of the famous Hussein Mosque in support of the Supreme Council of Armed Forces.
13:10 A march of a couple hundred has set off from the Mustafa Mahmoud Mosque in Mohandesin towards Tahrir Square chanting slogans that slam the slow trial of Mubarak and the symbols of the old regime. As with 28 January, Egypt's original day of rage, protesters are planning to converge on Tahrir from several meeting points after Friday paryers. Unlike that historic day, there movement is not being restricted by security forces. Without such opposition, it has been hard until now for anyone to predict how this day will unfold.
13:00 Our correspondent in the square reports that although there are lots of people, it's not yet packed. With lots of people waving flags and vendors ringing the fringes, "it's a bit of a carnival atmosphere."
On one of the stages, Mohamed Abbas of the January 25 Youth Coalition is calling for the speedy trial of Mubarak and all members of the old regime.
12:55 The January 25 Youth Coalition are chanting the “people and the army are one hand,” insisting that the army is not just the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces.
12:50 Friday prayers have just finished and protesters are waving Egyptian flags and chanting “raise your head up high, you're Egyptian.”
12:30 During the sermon, the preacher slammed statements issued by groups opposing today’s protest that went as far as labelling protesters “seculars and intruders.” The Imam also talked about the importance of protecting national unity and wondered out loud why there is no police protecting towards protests. “Where is the police today?” the Sheikh asked. “Their role is to protect the nation.”
Yesterday, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces announced that not only will it allow the protests to go ahead, there will be no army presence whatsoever. This came straight after they warned of "suspicious elements" threatening the safety of protesters. Two hands in one pocket.
12:00 As Friday prayers start in Tahrir, here's why a second day of rage has been called for and why not everyone is convinced by it.
Banners hung all over Tahrir Square spell out those demands. One banner says: “The people demand that the duties of the National Security apparatus are laid out and that it does not work to torture or arrest people.” Another banner, hung by the Front for the Purification of the Egyptian media, has a photo of a hung Mubarak and a black list of all the editors of national papers. Another banner calls for the removal and trial of Ahmed Fadel, head of the Suez Canal Authority, while another calls for the removal of Deputy Prime Minister Yehia El-Gamal.
11:35 Protesters in Tahrir are demanding that deputy Prime Minister Yehia El-Gamal is removed from his position, that there is judicial supervision on the newly formed National Security Apparatus and that all governors, university presidents and university deans are changed.
11:30 According to Shorouk News protesters have decided to end their protest at 6pm today.
11:20 Copts are now reading verses from the Bible and singing hymns on one of the stages
11:00 About 4,000 people have already gathered in Tahrir Square to kick off the “Second Day of Rage.” Four stages have already been set up. One of the stages is set up for the countries upcoming liberal parties including Free Egyptians Party, the Democratic Front Party, the Social Democratic Party, and Freedom Egypt. Prominent members of each party are expected to speak to the crowd today including Amr Hamzawy, Osama Ghazali Harb, Ehab El Kharat, Ziad El Elimy and Esraa Abdel Fatah.
08:30 Ahram Online's Mohamed El Hebieshy was in the square from 8 and wrote about the mood as thousands gathered in anticipation of today.
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