Egypt

Egypt anti-coup alliance urges rallies

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An anti-coup alliance in Egypt has called on people to hold week-long “Loyalty to Martyrs Blood” demonstrations across the North African country, starting Friday.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the Anti-Coup, Pro-Legitimacy National Alliance called on “The patriotic Egyptian people to rally in the streets of Egypt on Friday and Saturday (September 13 and 14) in continuation of the peaceful Revolution until the heinous coup is completely defeated. Demonstrations should then continue throughout the week under the title Loyalty to the Martyrs Blood.”

“Let us raise their pictures high throughout all streets and corners of Egypt, so its sands, its walls and buildings may remember the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the dream of living in a homeland of great dignity and honor,” the statement added.

Referring to the 2011 revolution that toppled former Egyptian dictator Hosni Mubarak, it said “The revival of hope is the most beautiful gift of the January 25 Revolution. We must all stand united, shoulder to shoulder, to confront those who want to kill our hopes and aspirations.”

It also referred to Egyptian police’s fatal clampdown on supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi in Cairo and other parts of the country in August saying “The martyrs’ blood, that flowed like rivers in Rabaa and Nahda squares (in Cairo) as well as all public squares of Egypt…and the precious souls of those martyrs urge you for retribution, by overturning the traitorous coup and bringing to trial all killers, criminals and collaborators responsible for their death.”

The statement also called on people across the world to stage similar rallies in support of the first democratically elected Egyptian head of state, Morsi, who was toppled in the July military coup d’état as well as the demands of Egyptians.

“To all free people of the world… We urge you, wherever you are in the world, to stand in solidarity with us and support the demands of Egyptians: freedom and democracy. Please join us, by organizing vigils in your country on Saturday (September 14) in support of our just cause,” it said.

The army-appointed government has launched a bloody crackdown on Morsi supporters ever since his ouster and arrested more than 2,000 Muslim Brotherhood members.

About 1,000 people were killed in a week of clashes between Morsi supporters and security forces after police dispersed their protest camps in a fatal crackdown on August 14.

The massacre sparked international condemnation and prompted world bodies to call for an independent investigation into the violence.

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