Thousands Mark Egypt Revolution's Anniversary

Crowds gather in Tahrir Square to reflect on past year
By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 25, 2012 7:28 AM CST
Thousands Mark Egypt Revolution's Anniversary
An Egyptian man chants slogans as thousands gather in Tahrir Square to mark the one year anniversary of the uprising that ousted President Hosni Mubarak in Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012.   (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

It's been a year to the day since Egypt's revolution began, and thousands headed to Tahrir Square today to acknowledge that milestone—though for many, it wasn't a time to celebrate. While a Muslim Brotherhood stage noted "the first holiday," a stage run by young protesters condemned military rule, saying the revolution wasn't over. "Today is not a day to celebrate,” one young man told the Washington Post. “We have to avenge the martyrs and the military council must go back to their barracks."

An obelisk in the center of the square paid homage to protesters who lost their lives in the turmoil; images of police brutality were interspersed with hieroglyphics. There were no security forces in sight, but Muslim Brotherhood committees were searching visitors and confiscating nail files and other potentially dangerous items. Meanwhile, signs of the revolution remained, including concrete walls to block protesters from government buildings and a ruined science building, site of days of fighting. (More Egypt stories.)

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