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    July 08, 2011

Egyptians Rally Against Slow Government Reforms

   VOA News
   An Egyptian activist carry a placard that reads in Arabic "The Egyptian
   Revolution, Part two" during preparations for massive protests planned
   for Friday, to demand justice for the revolution's victims, at Tahrir
   square, Cairo, Egypt, Thursday, July 7, 20
   Photo: AP
   An Egyptian activist carry a placard that reads in Arabic "The Egyptian
   Revolution, Part two" during preparations for massive protests planned
   for Friday, to demand justice for the revolution's victims, at Tahrir
   square, Cairo, Egypt, Thursday, July 7, 2011

   Several thousand Egyptians have gathered in Cairo's Tahrir Square to
   protest what they say is a slow pace of government reforms and justice
   for the victims of a crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrations earlier
   this year.
   Protesters pitched tents Friday in the middle of the square, the
   epicenter of the protests that toppled former Egyptian leader Hosni
   Mubarak in February. More people are expected to join the chanting
   demonstrators after Friday prayers.
   The rally follows several legal decisions that have angered some
   Egyptians. They say trials of former officials are not transparent
   enough and are not moving fast enough.
   Earlier this week, hundreds of protesters in Suez attacked a courthouse
   and police station after a judge upheld the release on bail of seven
   police officers charged with killing demonstrators during the uprising
   that ousted Mubarak.
   On Tuesday, a Cairo court acquitted three of Mubarak's former Cabinet
   ministers of corruption charges.
   Wednesday, in an apparent bid to stem mounting protests, Egypt's
   security chief announced plans to dismiss hundreds of police officers
   linked to the deadly crackdown.
   Last week, more than 1,000 people were injured in clashes between
   police and protesters in Cairo. The demonstrators were urging the
   country's military leaders to speed up the prosecution of officials
   blamed for killing protesters in the lead-up to Mubarak's departure
   from office.
   At least 850 people were killed during the 18-day revolt that
   culminated with Mubarak's resignation.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.

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