Blood flows in Egypt over the pace of change

Over 1,000 people were injured in clashes between protestors and Egyptian security forces in Cairo's Tahrir Square on Wednesday. The square was sealed off early Wednesday as lines of security forces in full riot gear blocked the avenues leading into the site. 

LOS ANGELES (Catholic Online) - The battle between protestors and the police began on Tuesday when police were ordered to clear out a sit-in at the state TV building. According to witnesses, the sit-in, which included families of people who were killed in previous protests, was attacked by police during a memorial service for the "martyrs" of the revolution that toppled Hosni Mubarak.

Conversely, the Egyptian government claimed the people involved in the clash were trying to break into the theater in which the memorial services were being held. The government also announced on its Facebook page that nine people had been arrested and would be questioned by military prosecutors. Witnesses have told the media the police were very aggressive with the protestors.

However the clash began, it quickly spread to Tahrir Square and to the interior ministry. Rocks and glass were everywhere as protestors chanted anti-military slogans. Eventually, the riots began to die down but the exhausted police around the interior ministry building were then replaced by soldiers in riot gear.

The Egyptian military government has tried to downplay the protests and stresses that they will await the conclusion of any investigations into the riots before assigning responsibility and pursuing possible charges. Prime Minister, Essam Sharaf lauded the youth who he said should, "protect the revolution" and acknowledged that some people may not be happy with the return of the police and security.

At this time, police still occupy parts of the square and appear ready to advance should violence threaten to erupt again, but for the moment an uneasy tension exists. Many of the youth are disappointed in the ruling military government and want reforms to accelerate and to culminate in the installation of a democratic government, and while the military says it plans to do just that, it is moving at a slower pace than many Egyptians would like.

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