Widespread solidarity demonstrations held across Egypt

Hundreds of activists took to the streets across Egypt on Friday in solidarity with hunger-striking prisoners in Al-Aqrab Prison. The demonstrators called for the release of all political prisoners, as well as improved conditions in Egyptian jails, reported Anadolu.

Journalists and eyewitnesses filed reports of demonstrations in Al-Giza to the west of Cairo, Damietta in the north, Al-Fayoum, Al-Menia and Bani Souef in the south, and Al-Sharqiyeh and Al-Manofiyeh in the Delta governorate. Among those whose release the demonstrators called for was ousted President Mohamed Morsi, Egypt’s first freely-elected head of state. The also demanded that those responsible for killing fellow Egyptians should be brought to justice, and that the aggravated economic crisis should be resolved.

Some of those taking part in the demonstrations were there to support relatives who had been swept up in the wave of arrests during anti-coup protests.

On Thursday, the Anti-Coup Alliance called for a week of demonstrations under the banner, “Egypt is the Prison of the Poor”. The protests are dedicated to the support of the hunger-striking prisoners, calling for prisoners’ rights, journalists’ rights and the rights of doctors and oppressed workers.

Since the removal of Morsi in 2013, Egyptians have been taking to the streets regularly, demonstrating against the military coup. The actions have continued despite the harsh crackdown by the authorities against protestors that has led to the death, detention and forced disappearance of thousands across the country.