Mass protests against Mursi across Egypt

  • 12 years ago
Tens of thousands of Egyptians gather in Cairo's famed Tahrir Square to protest against President Mohamed Mursi.

Demonstrators stayed through the night ... in one of the largest rallies since the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak last year.

Earlier in the day, police fired tear gas near the square at stone-throwing youths, opposed to Mursi's rule.

At least one man died after inhaling gas - the second activist's death since Mursi issued a decree last week expanding his powers from judicial review.

Anti-government marches also took place across the country in cities like Alexandria...

Back in the capital - striking judges staged a sit-in - calling for Mursi to revoke his decree.

The head of the Egyptian Judges Club had this message for Mursi:

(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) HEAD OF EGYPTIAN JUDGES CLUB, AND HEAD OF COURT OF APPEALS, AHMED EL-ZIND, SAYING:

"Mr. President, it's not shameful to revise what you have ordered, instead it will bring honor and pride to your record. Our country is in flames, and you can extinguish the fire of sedition with your hand alone.

Mursi's administration has defended the decree - as an way to speed up reforms and complete transfer to democracy.