Egypt state television reports that people armed with machetes attacked pro-democracy activists Wednesday in Tahrir Square.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- NEW: 13 to 19 injuries reported, sources say
- State TV reported that people armed with knives attacked activists
- Gunshots were heard in the square Wednesday
Cairo, Egypt (CNN) — More than a dozen people were injured when violence erupted in Cairo’s Tahrir Square Wednesday, the second day of unrest and protests in Egypt’s capital.
Witnesses said gunshots were heard Wednesday in the square, the epicenter of the Egyptian protest movement that led to the removal of President Hosni Mubarak last month.
Egyptian state television reported that people armed with knives and machetes attacked hundreds of pro-democracy activists there.
Opposition activists in Tahrir said 19 people were injured, and state TV reported 13 injuries.
Complaints about police corruption and abuses were among the top grievances of demonstrators who forced Mubarak from office.
Demonstrators also were angry about Mubarak’s 30-year rule, a lack of free elections and economic issues, such as high food prices, low wages and high unemployment.
Since the president’s departure, several thousand people have protested in Tahrir Square to urge Egypt’s new rulers to implement promised reforms.
They pressed Egypt’s Supreme Council to end an emergency law and release political prisoners, among other things. They also demanded civilian representation in government.
In clashes unrelated to the political demonstrations, nine people were killed and 90 wounded Tuesday in skirmishes between Coptic Christians and Muslims in the capital, Egypt’s health minister, Dr. Ashraf Hatem, said.
Also Tuesday, several hundred people showed up for a pro-women demonstration in Cairo — including some men who chanted anti-feminist slogans.
Egyptian activists had called for a Million Woman March Tuesday, demanding “fair and equal opportunity for all Egyptian citizens — beyond gender, religion or class.”
The march started in Tahrir Square Tuesday afternoon, on International Women’s Day.
The turnout appeared to be no more than than 1,000, and the event quickly degenerated into shouting matches between the two sides.
Activists highlighted the role of women in the protests that swept Egypt this year.
Women were very visible among demonstrators who toppled Mubarak last month, which feminists called a breakthrough for Egyptian society.
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