Protesters have organised a march in the memory of the deadly clashes known as the Cabinet clashes.
The clashes started on 16 December, 2011 and continued for several days, leaving at least 17 dead and hundreds injured. On the first day, Sheikh Emad Effat, medical student Alaa’ Abdel-Hady and Mass Communication student from the University of Arts and Sciences, Ahmed Mansour, (also a member of 6 April Youth Movement) died in 6 October city.
The 6 April Youth Movement in 6 October city, along with the Strong Egypt Party, the Popular Current and the October Revolutionaries have organised an event in memory of Mansour on Sunday in 6 October city.
Samir Hosny, the coordinator of the 6 April Youth Movement in 6 October city said the event was organised in coordination with Mansour’s family who will be taking part in the event.
Karim Mansour, Ahmed’s brother, said that due to other commitments he will not be able to take part in the whole march, but his sister will be present throughout the event. Karim is the eldest of his siblings, followed by Ahmed who was 21 when he died.
Karim said that his brother had always taken part in protests since 25 January 2011. “He was arrested on 28 January and released at night. He protested against the military and took part in the Mohamed Mahmoud clashes, until the Cabinet clashes,” he said.
The protesters will begin by to gather outside Mansour’s university and will then form human chains after which the organiser will give a presentation about the Cabinet clashes as well as Mansour, Effat and Abdel-Hady. Finally, they will march to Mansour’s house where more presentations will be given.
Hosny said that 4,000 flyers about the event were handed out and that all of members of the 6 April Youth movement will participate in the event, in addition to some members of Al-Dostour Party, “but on an individual level. It is not the official party’s stance.” Hosny added that students in Mansour’s university will also take part and therefore expects a large gathering.
Another event has been organised in memory of those who died in the clashes on Wednesday afternoon, when protesters plan to march from the High Court Building to Tahrir Square.
The Cabinet clashes, which came weeks after the Mohamed Mahmoud clashes in November, started when security forces severely beat one protestor taking part in a sit-in outside the Cabinet building. The sit-in continued for weeks before the clashes started, in objection to the appointment of Prime Minister Kamal Al-Ganzoury who replaced Essam Sharaf.
Sharaf had resigned in the midst of the Mohamed Mahmoud clashes.
The clashes garnered international attention when a video captured security forces dragging and beating a woman after she fell to the ground, with her clothes torn off. She came to be known as the “the girl in the blue bra.” Until this day, her identity remains unknown.
On Friday 23 December, a “million man” protest was held in Tahrir Square. In addition, marches were organised and symbolic funerals were held for martyrs.
