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Egypt’s new protest law provokes demonstrations, backlash

Egyptian police use water canons and tear gas to disperse protests.
Tear gas fired by riot police at protesters fill the air during clashes at Talaat Harab square in downtown Cairo November 26, 2013. Protesters took to the streets on Tuesday in defiance of a law passed on Sunday requiring police approval for gatherings of more than 10 people. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany (EGYPT - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) - RTX15U75

CAIRO — It took only minutes for activists to witness Egypt’s controversial new protest law in action on Nov. 26. After warnings issued through loudspeakers, police forces used water canons and tear gas to disperse two separate protests in the downtown area, beating some with batons and fists, and arresting more than 50.

The first arrests came just after 2 p.m., when police reportedly told protesters outside the Journalist’s Syndicate downtown that their demonstration to mark the first anniversary of the death of activist Gaber “Jika” Salah, 16, was illegal according to a new law issued on Nov. 24 by interim President Adly Mansour.

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