The return of January: July 8th in Tahrir Square
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Tent over Tahrir
A demonstrator hangs high in the rigging of the massive white tent erected over Tahrir Square. The tent required regular maintenance under the winds.
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Sit In July 8
Graffiti went up all over downtown Cairo in the days leading up to July 8th announcing the re-occupation of Tahrir Square.
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Lamp post
When I asked a demonstrator next to me how this man scaled the lamp post, he turned to me laughing and said 'like a monkey!'
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For the long run
Many demonstrators converged on Tahrir Square, pledging an overnight occupation until revolutionary demands are addressed. Here, four demonstrators walk towards Tahrir in the setting sun.
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Anger
Thus for only one police officer has been convicted of killing protesters during the revolution. He was tried in absentia. More recently anger has flared over the acquittal and release of a number of others, and while the Prime Minister has called for the re-arrest of 300 charged with killing demonstrators, the Interior Ministry has refused this demand, further angering protesters in the square. The photograph in this picture is of a child killed during the revolution, left against a wall leading to Tahrir Square.
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The message is clear
Despite repeated statements in the press that the demonstrators who returned to Tahrir Square on July 8 did not have clear objectives, many in the square challenge that, and released two statements of clear objectives.
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Morning Prayers
Many thousands of people took part in morning prayers in Tahrir Square, using whatever was available as prayer mats.
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Banner
A protester helps to hang a banner, while behind him another banner, depicting former president Hosni Mubarak in a noose, spans the Mohammed Mahmoud street entrance to Tahrir.
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Walls
Each subsequent rally in Tahrir has brought with it new street art. Here artists direct people to twitter hashtag #noSCAF, Tantawi appears behind bars, and a call to action for July 8th all line the street heading to Tahrir.
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The people are back
Tahrir Square was packed with protesters on July 8th.
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SCAF
The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) are the defacto rulers of Egypt, 'overseeing' the transition to civilian rule. Many Egyptians are highly skeptical of their intentions however, their interest in protecting their own, and their traditionally anti-reform leader, Field Marshall Tantawi.
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Justice?
Demonstrators in Tahrir Square are eager to see former regime members brought to justice.
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Tear gas = $25
After pitched battles last week, during which police fired volley after volley of USA made tear gas on Tahrir demonstrators, graffiti has been painted all over the square exposing the money being paid to suppress demonstrations.
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Masr
Nationalism has grown since the advent of the 25 January revolution.
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Tents
Tents in Tahrir are organized by theme, allowing for discussions on everything from religion to socialism. Passersby are encouraged to sit and join the debates.
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The Ship of State
A demonstrator wears a model of a felucca - a Nile sailing ship - on his head.
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Necklace
A demonstrator wears a necklace of used tear gas canisters, made in the USA.
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Noose
A demonstrator swings three makeshift gallows through Tahrir, demanding justice for elements of the former regime.
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Tantawi
A demonstrator holds a stenciled image of Field Marshall Tantawi - increasingly criticized - behind bars. Minutes later the demonstrator was acosted by men and physically restrained while they destroyed his sign. Undaunted, he regained his poise and held the pieces together, one segment in each hand.
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Water
Protesters gather at the end of Mohammed Mahmoud street, just at the entrance to Tahrir.
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Graffiti
New graffiti lined the roads heading to Tahrir Square.
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Under the tent
Beneath the canopy of a massive tent, demonstrators gathered in Tahrir Square.
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Tear Gas Revolt
A man washes dishes along Mohamed Mahmoud street, leading to Tahrir. One week ago, this street was the site of heavy fighting between protesters and the police. A grafitti memorial mural of a demonstrator hurling a tear gas canister in the direction of what had been the police line appeared on the wall just hours before the July 8th reclamation of Tahrir.
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Under the wires
Rigging criss-crosses Tahrir, suspending tents and demonstrators.
