Skip to main content

Egypt’s presidential palace battleground for protests

Demonstrators are calling for the repeal of a law requiring notification in advance for peaceful protests.
RTX16RGV.jpg

CAIRO — Before sunset, Nourhan Hefzy sat on a curb outside the Ittihadiya presidential palace in the upscale suburb of Heliopolis. Across the street, a dozen men and women faced rush hour traffic, holding up signs with images of detained activists.

Two security officers gazed idly at them from their chairs behind barbed wire fencing. They had previously asked the activists to leave, saying a sit-in is illegal under Egypt’s protest law. But Hefzy, a petite brunette, replied firmly, “We are here to protest the law.”

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.