It seems it was only a matter of time before the peaceful protest in Cairo turned less peaceful. Supporters of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak rode into town this morning on camels to beat back protesters who had crossed over government barricades in Tahrir Square. The scene that followed has been described by eyewitnesses as bloody and terrifyingly violent.
All at once, about 50 or 60 people carrying clubs and riding horses and camels charged into the square, beating some protesters. At least one man was pulled off his horse and beaten….
People tore paving stones out of the streets with crowbars and their bare hands, filling bags with rocks to use as an arsenal in the street battle.
Some ripped street signs out of the ground, using the metal as makeshift shields.
The network’s own Anderson Cooper was himself a victim of the violence when his crew ventured too close to the melee. Speaking on American Morning, Cooper explained that the TV crew was trying to reach a neutral zone between the protesters and government forces. “We never got that far,” he is quoted as having said. “We were set upon by pro-Mubarak supporters punching us in the head.”
The war of words between leaders of the two factions has reportedly escalated as well. Mohammed ElBaradei, the de facto leader of the uprising, reacted to Mubarak’s announcement that he would not seek reelection but intended to serve out the rest of his current term by insisting that the president leave Egypt by Friday. Otherwise, ElBaradei is alleged to have said, Mubarak will be a “dead man walking.”
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Comments
Thank you Howard. And for this article -- I watched the video and was struck by the fact that there seemed to be no way to verify that these were pro-Mubarak sympathizers who attacked Cooper In the heat of the moment, I wonder how he knew? Were they him in the head with signs?
Regardless - the violence, the uncertainty, signals a time for heavy hearts and caution in America.
"I wonder how he knew."
Excellent point, Dev.
Just suggesting that the protesters have been in the streets for several days and look like they have been in the streets for several days. Presumably, the new - fresh today - pro-Mubarak folks would look cleaner and smell better.
lg_, it's clear you've never been to Egypt or you would not have made that analysis.
Get your passport, book a ticket and go to Ciro for a few months.
Perhaps they caught his show?
:-)
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