Tamarod Gives Morsi Ultimatum; Protests Tainted By Violence

(Video: Ahram Onlnine)

Millions of Egyptians took to the streets yesterday in response to calls from the Tamarod Campaign:

They gathered in response to the calls by Tamarod campaign to hold protests on 30 June, which marks the one year anniversary of President Mohamed Morsi in power.

While U.S. media has concentrated on demonstrations in the now-famous Tahrir Square, protesters filled public spaces all over Egypt yesterday:

Protesters gathered in Alexandria, Minya, Menufiya, Suez, Daqahleya, Beni Suef, Port Said, and in Tanat and Mahalla in the governorate of Gharbeya on Sunday.

Al Jazeera English reports an unprecedented number of protesters took to the streets:

The number of people who joined in protests on Sunday, the anniversary of Morsi's first year in office, was between 14m and 17m people, the interior ministry told Al Jazeera.

"It is absolutely fair to say that an unprecedented number of Egyptians went to the streets accross the country," said Al Jazeera's Hoda Abdel Hamid, reporting from Cairo.

The Morsi government's initial response included censoring TV coverage of the protests, reports Egypt Independent:

Minister of Information Salah Abdel Maqsoud has decided to cancel all talk shows on Egyptian state television, instead controlling all content from a central broadcasting room for the ongoing 30 June protests...

...Abdel Maqsoud reportedly gave instructions to focus on Islamists rallies at Rabaa al-Adaweyah Square in Nasr City, where supporters of President Mohamed Morsy are holding their sit-in...

...Gammal added that the minister has restricted political shows to news bulletins and reports from correspondents only, in attempts to to filter out undesirable content. He has also allocated five outside broadcast vehicles to follow protests in Rabaa al-Adaweyah, each costing US$5,000 a day.

Hassan Aly, a member of the board of directors of the Free Media Zone, said all private satellite channels were warned of closure if they disseminate false news or make violations.

The Egyptian Organisation for Human Rights criticised the warning, saying it is a violation of the constitution which aims to uphold freedom of expression.

Meanwhile, the Tamarod campaign (Tamarod means "rebellion" in Arabic) capitalized on its initial success by demanding that Morsi step down on Tuesday, reports Daily News Egypt: 

Tamarod (Rebellion) campaign issued its first statement of “the revolution”, early Monday morning, demanding President Mohamed Morsi step down by Tuesday at 5pm...

...The campaign threatened that if demands are not met by Tuesday afternoon, calls for civil disobedience will begin throughout the country ,together with an invitation to the people to besiege the presidential palace.

The "civil disobedience" might not be very civil, judging from the scattered violence at some of yesterday's protests:

The national Muslim Brotherhood headquarters was stormed early on Monday morning, reports Egyptian state news agency, MENA.

As the Brotherhood members and guards were fleeing, they shot live ammunition at people gathered outside.

One of the Brotherhood members was beaten and is currently in critical condition, according to MENA.

Five protesters died and at least 38 were injured, the health ministry tells Ahram Online.

Ahram Online reports that other Muslim Brotherhood offices have been attacked as well.  Egypt's Ministry of Health has reported casualties from yesterday's demonstrations at 174 injured in seven governorates, as of 6.30pm Sunday.  

AFP has reported that looters took petrol bombs, helmets and flak jackets from the Muslim Brotherhood headquarters.  Demonstrations are slated to continue today- will the looted weaponry be used by protesters?