MB-affiliated protesters clash with police in Haram during Friday protests

Supporters of the banned Muslim Brotherhood group clashed with police in Cairo’s Haram district on Friday morning when security forces moved to disperse their protest, which blocked the area’s main thoroughfare, the state-owned news site Ahram Gate reported.

Demonstrators had gathered at Abou Bakr al-Sadek Mosque after Friday prayers, then marched onto Haram Street to voice their opposition against the government that felled former President Mohamed Morsi last year.

Giza Security Directorate chief Kamal al-Daly told Ahram Gate that the protesters briefly skirmished with the police when they arrived to disperse the march.

Other media reports said similar protests took place in the Saff district, where witnesses reported seeing demonstrators taking to the streets holding Morsi posters and chanting against the police and military.

Also on Friday, Qalyubiya Security Directorate chief Mahmoud Youssry declared a state of emergency at all police stations across the governorate, and dispatched heavy security forces to all vital facilities and governmental buildings in preparation for today’s protests.

The Muslim Brotherhood had announced it would organize mass demonstrations today under the slogan, “supporting universities,” in protest against the crackdown on university campuses that has resulted in at least 200 students being arrested, dozens injured and at least one killed since classes resumed on October 11.

In Qalyubiya, heavy security forces were also stationed at all main streets and squares.

Daly stated that he would not tolerate any attacks on civilians, and any violent actions would be swiftly and firmly dealt with. The security authorities would be closely watching all Brotherhood actions in the governorate’s main streets and squares, he added.

Since Morsi fell from power last July, Brotherhood-affiliated protesters have taken to the streets almost every Friday afternoon, especially in the Haram and Saff districts in Cairo, as well as in the Qalyubiya, Fayoum and Alexandria governorates.

Earlier this month, the banned group orchestrated several protests around the country in the days leading up to the October 6 national holiday that celebrates the Armed Forces. In Cairo, demonstrations were dispersed in Shubra and Manial, while other marches tried to reach Tahrir and Nahda squares.