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Egypt: Cheering on the Million Man March

Categories: Middle East & North Africa, Egypt, Breaking News, Digital Activism, Freedom of Speech, Human Rights, Politics, Protest, Technology

This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011 [1].

The streets of Cairo are still full of citizens demanding a new change in their government. Cairo, Egypt. 30/01/2011 [2]

Tanks in Cairo are surrounded by protesters demanding the resignation of President Mubarak. By Mohamed Elmaymony © Copyright Demotix (30/1/2011)

With a few more hours to go until the Million Man March, another Day of Rage will dawn upon Egypt as it enters its eighth day of massive protests against the Mubarak regime tomorrow.

Spirits are high and Egyptians are all fired up for the day ahead, as the government continues to clampdown on whatever was left of the Internet, after Egypt turned the switch off [3] on January 27. The plan is to march from Tahrir Square, starting at 9am Cairo time, up to Mubarak's presidential palace in Heliopolis, asking him to step down.

The government is meanwhile bracing itself for the day, and has blocked access to Egypt's last remaining ISP [4], to stop the world from hearing the voices of Egyptians on the ground. This comes after further harassment to mainstream media, particularly Al Jazeera, which had six of its journalists arrested today and their equipment, cameras and phones confiscated. They have since been released.

Al Jazeera's coverage of the demonstrations, which started on January 25, has been a constant nuisance to the Mubarak regime, which has not yet been successful [5] in taking it off the air.

People from around the world have been glued to their television screens, and online streams of Al Jazeera, to keep abreast of developments on the ground in Egypt, particularly after the Internet was shut down. The Doha-based network was at the forefront of coverage, with many netizens dedicated to transcribing and tweeting its coverage, around the clock.

The government also stopped train connections to Cairo today, to prevent people from other areas from joining the march. Reports also continue to trickle in that mobile phone lines will be shut tomorrow, just like it happened when the protests first started last week.

Here are reactions from Twitter on the Million Man March, which is seeing a lot of solidarity and support from around the world. The global community continues to watch, cheer and pray for Egyptian protesters as they continue with their demands for political and economic reforms, in a country ruled by Mubarak, 83, for 30 years.

@3arabawy [6]: Tomorrow we meet 9am in Tahrir. We will march on Mubarak's presidential palace in Heliopolis. Down with the dictator. #Jan25

@losttwit [7]: footage on AJE with @3arabawy “we know that our coward president is in SharmElSheikh, but we r marching tomorrow to the pres.palace” #jan25

@nohaelshoky [8]: ♻ @hananegypt: Just got off the phone from @monasosh: all internet is cut. But everyone is excited, fearless and ready for tomorrow. #jan25

@meralhece [9]: RT @jnoubiyeh: #Mubarak trembling in Presidential Palace.Million Man March starts at 9 a.m. tomorrow & will head right for him #Egypt #Jan25

@AymanM [10]: #aje crew was released & will be covering million man rally 2mrw #feb1 #Egypt #jan25 (via phone)

@NellaLou [11]: MT @IvanCNN #Egypt Info Ministry tells CNN all cell phone networks will be shut down shortly ahead of expected “Million Man March” #Jan25

@ArabVoicesSpeak [12]: half million people in one square and not 1 woman harassed not 1 thing stolen, no garbage no mess just faith in freedom and the world #jan25

@JQIsidore [13]: I have my own protest banner ready for tomorrow Million March Support in Holland #Egypt #Cairo #jan25

@atefsaid [14]: Million Man march planned for tomorrow from Tahrir to the presidential palace. GO EGYPT! GO GO EGYPT! #Jan25 Jan25

@Muneeb_BOmB [15]: “million man march” wow! the world is with you egypt do what you have to DO! #jan25

@rulahabash [16]: | I pray God Sends mercy upon the Millions tomorrow, and guides their footsteps and chants to freedom. | #Jan25 #Egypt |

@rjarbou [17]: Another comm blockade tomorrow #Mubarak you're on a roll! We & the Egyptian ppl thank you for maintaining the outrage #Jan25 #Egypt

@rulahabash [18]: just called Egypt on cell phone, people get strength when they know the world is following them,every body going out tomorrow #jan25 #Feb1

This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011 [1].