Dozens of Egyptian demonstrators criticize president and demand constitutional reform

Egypt: Protesters criticize ruler, demand change

CAIRO — Dozens of Egyptians on Tuesday demonstrated against police brutality and called for constitutional reform near the high court in downtown Cairo while hundreds of police looked on.

It was a rare case in the past year of a political protest being permitted and comes only a week after dozens of demonstrators were beaten and detained for a similar protest near parliament.

There were, however, some minor scuffles and at least one man was beaten and arrested by police, according to witnesses.

The demonstrators, who came from a number of loosely organized secular reform groups, draped themselves with Egyptian flags and held up signs reading “Down with Mubarak,” and chanted for two hours.

Ahmed Maher, a leader with the April 6 youth movement, said his group wanted an end to police violence which demonstrators routinely experience, citing last week’s protest in particular.

“We’re sending a message that we’re not afraid of the police force and we’ll keep coming out to call for change,” said Maher.

The April 6 youth movement was formed through online social networking sites such as Facebook, taking its name from a general strike it organized in 2008. It periodically organizes pro-reform protests. They are also a part of the National Association for Change movement which was formed by former U.N. nuclear chief, Mohammed ElBaradei.

ElBaradei, a Nobel laureate, garnered support from a number of prominent opposition figures for his campaign to reform the constitution and expand political participation.

Maher said that his group will be holding more protests in the coming weeks.

“ElBaradei has given us — especially the youth — the energy and hope to keep mobilizing,” he said.

Egypt is to hold parliamentary elections this year and presidential elections in 2011. Amendments to the constitution passed in 2007 restrict candidates to the presidential election to only a few members of approved political parties.

Mubarak, 81, has ruled Egypt for nearly three decades. He is expected to run for a new term in 2011.