Egypt: Inside Tahrir Square · Global Voices
Nermeen Edrees

This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.
Over the past 10 days the way to Tahrir (Liberation) Square, in downtown Cairo, has always been the most dangerous of all (literally and figuratively). However inside the “field”, things were different. In spite of the gun shots, regime-sponsored thugs, and fire bombs, the square's sanctuary seemed to be the safest place in the world for all freedom seekers inside it.
Merry is an eye witness, who describes her feelings once she steps inside the field:
Despite the ruins, and the massive injuries, I had a very soothing sense that I was in heaven… for the first time in my life the sight of blood did not turn my stomach, for the first time in my life the the smell of horse pee (near the entrances) or that coming out from public restrooms did not make me gasp for air or feel sick!!!!
she continues:
I was among ANGELS, not human beings… I was surrounded by people with a spirit higher than the sky, THANKING ME, ME!!!!!!!! I did all I can to smile at them, and thank them, and pray for them when all I wanted to do was weep and hide in their arms, and kneel to kiss their feet for making me feel so safe in a place so ruined and destroyed, for making my tense muscles relax after a long night of hysteric crying!!
It is no secret that the country was on the verge of falling into the sectarian trap a few weeks after the  Alexandria church bombing.  Yet inside the field no one asked about religion, no one cared. All Egyptians…all protecting, all united.
Christians protecting Muslims praying in Tahrir
One of the prominent things that came to the surface is the confidence in the military forces surrounding the area and protecting the protesters from the thugs and police forces.
After the massacre committed by the pro-regime thugs against the peaceful protesters in the square over the previous two days, doctors rushed to volunteer and help the injured.. and practically an on-field hospital has been established.  3arabawy documents this
hospital in this video:
As for the martyrs who fell over the past few days, they will never be forgotten.  Egyptians in the Liberation Square vowed to get their Egypt back (even if they lost one of their eyes)..
The poster carried by the protester above reads:
I can see with one eye, and the other I sacrifice for the martyrs.
This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.