The latest report by the Egypt-based International Development Center’s Democracy Index revealed that 643 protests, with average of 21 protests daily and one protest every hour, have took place in October, marking an increase of 130 demonstrations in September, which saw 513 protests.
August saw 647 protests, according to Democracy Index’s earlier report.
Released on Monday, the index’s report showed that students topped the protesting categories with 209 protests (32.5 percent of the total demonstrations in October). Supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood came next with 204 protests (31.7 percent). Protests from the general public followed with 108 protests (17 percent). Twelve other categories followed, with 94 protests for work rights, then political activists with ten protests, pensioners with four protests and finally three protests demanding rights for disabled people.
Sixty-six percent of the protests voiced civilian and political demands, 256 protests, mainly staged by students, demanded release of the detainees. Sixty-nine protests focused on ending military rule. Another 54 protests condemned terrorist operations. Citizens also staged 14 protests against police practices, 12 of which were against killing of a student and citizen by police.
Social and economic demands made up 34 percent of October's protests. The demands included the workplace atmosphere, rights to education and rights to housing, facilities and services. The demands also reflected problems of farmers and the physically-disabled.
Protests between January 2013 and October 2014, according to the Index report, showed that absence of the transitional justice in Egypt has come in the first place during the post-January 2011 period.
Demonstrations were staged in 25 forms, 17 of which were peaceful, while eight were violent. The protest means included vigils, protests, strikes and human shields. The most developed form of protesting was the ‘Their feast in prison’ campaign staged by activists demanding release of the detainees. The campaign was the most effective in 2014, reflecting activists fear actions against them.
However, the violent form included blocking roads, intercepting an official’s procession, breaking into government buildings, setting fire to public and private properties and suicide.
Protests occurred in 26 governorates. Cairo came the first in number of protests, then Giza, then Alexandria, Sharqiya, Daqahliya, Menoufia and Kafr al-Sheikh. The lowest number of protests was seen in South Sinai and Marsa Matrouh with one protest in each.
