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Tens of Thousands Protest In Cairo, Twitter Blocked

Posted by timothy on from the lol-cats-won't-save-you dept.

Haffner writes "Protests in Cairo, Egypt have now reached the tens of thousands. Police have deployed water cannons and tear gas. I am writing this live from Cairo, where I witnessed a throng of 1000-3000 march towards Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo. I also witnessed 300-500 protesting on one of the bridges heading downtown. Most importantly, twitter has been blocked by many national carriers." Why Twitter? As reader pinkushun writes "Using Twitter and Facebook, the people instigated a series of fast-moving, rapidly shifting demos across half a dozen or more Egyptian cities. The police could not keep up – and predictably, resorted to violence. Sadly this has led to three known deaths thus far." Update: 01/26 02:05 GMT by T : Jake Appelbaum is tweeting up a storm about the state of the active filters.

7 of 167 comments (clear)

  1. I almost hate to ask... by XxtraLarGe · · Score: 2, Insightful

    but what are they protesting? I didn't see it in the first link.

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    Taking guns away from the 99% gives the 1% 100% of the power.
  2. Re:Mubarak leaving soon by MichaelSmith · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Similar to the problem to Malaysia then. Same party in power for decades but the main opposition are islamists and potentially a worse cure than the problem.

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    http://michaelsmith.id.au
  3. Re:Mubarak leaving soon by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

    The main opposition force in Egypt during Mubarak's reign, the Muslim Brotherhood [...] and many Egyptians see the chance for a real chance of democracy

    Yeah that worked out so well for Iran...

  4. Technology knows no right from wrong by ugen · · Score: 4, Insightful

    That's the thing about technology - it serves all masters.

    The two forces at play in Egypt are Mubarak's official regime on one side and Muslim Brotherhood on another side. FWIW it's a choice between a rock and a hard place. Muslim brotherhood is your garden variety Islamic hard-liners who will no doubt build an oppressive society if ever in charge. Mubarak's regime is already oppressive. So, while the sides scuffle - there is little to expect externally except, perhaps, a more extremist regime should Mubarak fail.

    1. Re:Technology knows no right from wrong by shutdown+-p+now · · Score: 2, Insightful

      These are secular Egyptians from all around the country who for years have resented their leader whom is often a puppet to the US.

      Many people in Iran in 1979 thought so too. They figured that those bearded guys in shahada bandanas were just along for the ride, and anyway we can all settle it democratically like after we kick the bloody tyrant from power... right? right?

  5. Re:Revolution is bad by Hatta · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Having founders who embraced the principles of the Enlightenment didn't hurt either.

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    Give me Classic Slashdot or give me death!
  6. Re:So much focus on the protest, none on the topic by Culture20 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    The linked story talks about the reasons for the protest in Cairo (namely, wanting the current president of 29 years out, and wanting the 29-year "state of emergency" and corresponding suspension of rights to stop). The summary here just talks about the actions taken against the protesters, and the blocking of Twitter.

    Have you been asleep?

    A revolution is happening in Tunisia. Protests similar to the beginnings there have been reported from Algeria. People are setting themselves on fire to make a statement. The Egyptian regime has been trying to control unrest by capping food and oil prices for the last few weeks.

    Is it really necessary to point out what the Egyptians are unhappy about?

    Yes. Not all of us live in Egypt.

    Isn't it obvious?

    No. Not all of us live in Egypt.