On Sunday, Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi declared emergency rule end days of clashes that have surrounded the two-year anniversary of Egypt’s revolution against former dictator Hosni Mubarak and have killed at least 52 people.
“The protection of the nation is the responsibility of everyone. We will confront any threat to its security with force and firmness within the remit of the law,” Morsi said.
The attempt to quell the violence evidently backfired, as protesters in towns along the Suez Canal poured into the streets in defiance of the nighttime curfew. “Down, down with Mohamed Morsi! Down, down with the state of emergency!” crowds shouted. In Cairo, protesters set police vehicles on fire. Reports say that in Port Said two men were killed and 12 injured during the fighting.
Political opponents of Morsi are accusing him of imposing a new form of authoritarianism on the country while his supporters accuse the other side of wanting to destroy Egypt’s new democracy. The United States has openly condemned the violence and support Mohammed Morsi’s call for open dialogue.
