Thousands Protest in Cairo

Moderate Egyptians: Our Brief Window of Hope Closes

Concern about Egyptian President Morsi’s proclamations and the upcoming constitutional referendum continues to grow. Thousands of protesters marched on the presidential palace defying the police and their threats of tear gas. The protesters are a diverse group of Egyptians including Christians and moderates, concerned that the country will lose its secular government and replace it with one sanctioned by the Muslim Brotherhood.

Ahram News: Thousands of protesters had gathered in front of the presidential palace on Tuesday afternoon, chanting against the draft constitution and Constituent Assembly and holding banners saying “We reject splitting the country in two using religion,” and “We reject the constitutional declaration.”

Protesters chanted: “To those who wonder what the solution is, the Brotherhood has to be dissolved,” and “Get out of your houses and come tell Morsi to leave.”

The constitutional assembly is accused of being dominated by the Muslim Brotherhood, of which Morsi is a member and has been disrupted by withdrawals from the Coptic Christians, journalists and farmer representatives.

Many are concerned that newly elected President Morsi has already lost his legitimacy and that opponents are hoping to topple his regime.