This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011 [1].
Different figures are being circulated online, but the fact remains one. Millions of people from all walks of life marched across Egypt today, calling on president Hosni Mubarak to step down.
Even more people are cheering on them to insist on their demands, as the world continues to watch them on news channels, which are broadcasting developments live worldwide.
This is the eighth day of massive protests across the country, following a call on the We Are All Khaled Said group on Facebook for Egyptians to take to the streets, on January 25, which coincided with Police Day.
The group is named after Khaled Saeed, a young man from Alexandria murdered [2] at the hands of police. His death, last June, caused widespread demonstrations [3] and rage against police torture and the ‘use of Emergency Law to terrorise citizens.’
On Twitter, many are retweeting Al Jazeera English's announcement that the demonstrators in Cairo's Tahrir (Liberation) Square have exceeded two million people:
@AJELive [4]: Al Jazeera's correspondent in #Egypt's Tahrir Square says that up to two million people are protesting in the square and surrounding areas.
Tweeps also continue to monitor developments and report them live. From the UAE, Sultan Al Qassemi has been doing a marvellous job covering the protests on his Twitter account. He monitors news and tweets his observations, adding information, relevant links and commentary.
Here is one example from a few minutes ago:
@sultanalqassemi [5]: Al Jazeera: 500,000 protesters in Mansoura. (Population 1.1 million, 120 km/75 miles NE of Cairo) The second largest protest in Egypt today.
Others are following suit:
@RazanAl [6]: RT @Arabzy: | 2 Million in Alexandria. Almost 3 Million in Cairo. Around half a Million Suez. It's happening. #Jan25 #Egypt.
The New York Times‘ Nicholas Kristof is in Cairo, and has also been updating his Twitter account. Here is a recent tweet, that has been retweeted:
@nadinetoukan [8]: Why we #FollowFreedom! “@NickKristof I shot this photo of the truly young generation on Tahrir Square. http://twitpic.com/3vgu7l #jan25[7]
Enough!
@nadinetoukan [8]: Why we #FollowFreedom! “@NickKristof I shot this photo of the truly young generation on Tahrir Square. http://twitpic.com/3vgu7l #jan25
And more reports continue:
@dogdazed [9]: Growing Demands for Arrest of Mubarak In Tahrir Demonstration! #jan25 #egypt #tunisia #sidibouzid
@butheina [10]: Arabs & the shoes – jst cant ot do it RT @harrietsherwood: “One woman holding up shoe with Mubarak's photo stuck to sole” via @monaeltahawy
@shmpOngO [11]: The temporary hospital in Tahrir needs supplies, please spread #jan25
From Jordan, @avinunu tweets:
And mfekry says:
Hassan Harthy, meanwhile, sums it all:
And amid all this, humour finds a place:
@baldaufji [16]: 1 million Egyptians just became mayor of Tahrir Square on Foursquare.
Back in the square, Sherine Tadros reports:
@Rayabi [17]: RT @SherineT: nearly 2 million in tahrir square, say not moving until mubarak leaves. peaceful atmosphere. #egypt #jan25
And @lido-lee adds:
@lido_lee [18]: People on Tahrir are now chanting “Howa yamshee!” meaning “He needs to go!” #cairo #egypt #jan25
This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011 [1].