Egyptian demonstrators outside Presidential Palace in Cairo Hundreds of protesters woke up Wednesday in front of the Presidential Palace - the new focus of protests against President Mohammed Morsi - as an already-polarised Egypt slipped deeper into crisis. "The final warning, the presidency under siege," read the headline of daily al-Shuruk as the independent Al-Watan declared "Revolution at the President's doorstep."
Hundreds of more Morsi opponents spent the night in Cairo's iconic Tahrir Square under dozens of tents placed there for almost two weeks ago.
Activists used social networking sites to appeal for blankets and food for the protesters who said they won't leave until Morsi rescinds a decree expanding his powers.
All this followed Egypt’s “Final Warning” protest on Tuesday, which was indeed an eventful day. Tens of thousands of Egyptian demonstrators encircled the Presidential Palace after riot police failed to keep them at bay with tear gas, in a growing crisis over President Mohammed Morsi's decree widening his powers.
Mohammed Morsi left the Presidential Palace on Tuesday evening, heading to his home in Cairo’s al-Tagammu al-Khames district, as demonstrators broke down security barricades and arrived at the gates of Ittihadiya Palace.
Central Security forces fired gunshots in the air in an attempt to prevent protesters from removing barbed-wire barricades placed outside.
Around 31 people were injured, 29 of who were hurt outside Ittihadiya Palace itself, Egypt’s health ministry reported.
A number of vehicles drove into the swarm of protesters, who welcomed them amid chants confirming the non-violent nature of the demo. Some demonstrators - along with Central Security - climbed on top of the vehicles, waving Egyptian flags.
The first casualty of the day was 35-year-old Karim Muawad from Fayyum, who was injured when rocks were thrown at him. He collapsed after a wound to his head; he was then taken to the hospital via one of the ambulances on standby.
A source in the emergency services also said medics treated people for breathing problems due to teargas inhalation as well as bone fractures caused by the jostling crowds.
The State Council Judges’ Club has announced its refusal to oversee the referendum as Islamist leaders concluded a meeting on the crisis with a decision to not organise counter-protests. Instead they have opted to wait for results from Tuesday’s marches.
The National Salvation Front also met on Tuesday evening to issue demands against the constitutional declaration and the constitution referendum. The group has also called for a new draft constitution.
A rising number of demonstrators gathered outside the state broadcast building Maspero, demanding the dismissal of Egypt’s media minister. The building’s gates had to be locked as army and police guards were nowhere to be seen.
Some demonstrators have announced their intention to stage a sit-in outside the palace until their demands are met. These requirements include the rescinding of the constitutional declaration issued by Morsi, the cancellation of the mid-December referendum on a controversial draft constitution and the formation of a new constituent assembly representative of all Egyptians.
The ministry of the interior however, has released a report saying: “Despite the absolute care on the part of the forces not to use violence in dealing with demonstrations and considering them as peaceful demonstrations, the forces were assaulted by some protesters. This led to the injury of the Major General Director of Cairo zone’s Central Security General Administration, the Major General Director of Cairo’s Investigations, an officer, a policeman and four other officials.”
The report went to on to say that the ministry “repeatedly emphasised to participants in the demonstrations to not assault forces or establishments and to express their opinions in a peaceful manner.” The ministry reasserted its “policy of not engaging with peaceful demonstrations,” and called on “those responsible for these demonstrations to accept their responsibilities under these conditions in the interests of citizens and establishments.”