Organisers have stated demo will be a peaceful one Cairo – Akram Ali A number of political parties and movements will march towards Ittihadiya Palace Tuesday afternoon in protest against President Mohammed Morsi’s constitutional declaration and referendum on the draft constitution without prior societal discussions.
The marches take off at 4:00 PM from Rabia al-Adawiya mosque in Nasr City, al-Matariya Square and al-Nour mosque in Abbasiya.
A march by the April 6 Youth Movement will start at the Saray al-Qubba metro station at 5:30 PM. All marches will meet on route to the Presidential Palace in the west-Cairo district of Masr el-Gedida.
Army forces deployed on Tuesday morning armoured vehicles in the roads leading up to the palace. Military sources told Arabstoday that Republican Guard personnel will secure the palace to prevent assault by demonstrators.
Barbed wire barriers were also placed in the perimeter of the Ittihadiya Palace where Mirighni St and al-Uruba Tunnel start and up to Sheikh Ibrahim al-Lakkani St, which are only a few metres away from the Presidential Palace.
The Egyptian Social Democratic Party, which is taking part in three marches, has assured the public that the barbed wire barriers outside the palace will not be breached, saying the marches were a non-violent method of expressing opinion.
Central Security forces have also augmented their presence in the perimeter of the palace, deploying hundreds of soldiers and placing metal barriers in the street leading to Gate 4 of the Complaints Office.
The Ministry of Health has taken special precautions in preparation for the Final Warning marches, suspending leave for all ministry employees until the conclusion of the marches.
Ministry spokesperson Ahmed Omar said in a statement that “the necessary arrangements have been made to secure the demonstrations set to take place in Tahrir Square and at Ittihadiya Palace on Tuesday.”
Omar said the ministry has allocated 50 ambulances to cover the demonstrations, distributed as follows: five ambulances in Abdulmuneim Riad Square, 15 next Simon Bolivar Square, 20 outside al-Ittihadiya Palace and 10 extra ambulances on reserve.
All ambulance and emergency services have been placed on high alert, Omar said, adding that a central control room will provide detailed reports on emergencies.
Hospitals have been put on alert to treat any injuries in case clashes break out.