Protests have erupted near the Algerian embassy in Cairo after a World Cup play-off game was lost to that country’s soccer team. Eleven police officers and 24 protesters were injured yesterday and Rich Frohl, our blogger on the ground is right in the middle of it.
People protesting the results of a soccer match in the streets of Cairo
“‘Stop taking pictures you cunning white one or I will throw a stone at you,’ are the words one angry protester hurled at me as I tried to document the anarchy that has taken over the streets of my neighborhood here in Cairo.
On Wednesday, Egypt lost to Algeria in the game that decided which of the two would go to the world cup. I was told by my Egyptian friends that this would happen if Egypt lost, but immediately after the match, the eerie silence in the streets of usually-bustling Cairo calmed me, making me thing that Cairo might stay quiet after all. I was wrong. The anger just needed a gestation period.
We stood on a street corner as ambulance sirens and protester shouts echoed around us, trying to figure out what to do. As nervous and out of control as we felt, it was also kind of exciting.
This morning, I set out to get some pictures, assuming I would simply get to photograph the aftermath. Though definitely not as serious as last night, some were still going strong on the 26th of July Street.
As I walked out onto the street, people were turning themselves into human barricades, blocking the street (turning main street into a parking lot). People shouted pro-Egypt and anti-Algerian cheers and jumped on cars.
As we navigated the road blocks, trying to explore more of the unrest, I realized that English was going to get me a lot farther than Arabic (a first here in Egypt).
I can only imagine what is going to happen tonight. Don’t worry, I’ll be staying safe behind 10 lines of riot police in my room in a sealed-off safe zone. Not like I have much of a choice anyways…police aren’t letting folks go anywhere with any level of ease.” – Richfrohl
Tags: Algeria, Cairo, Cairo protests, Egypt, playoffs, World Cup, World Cup Playoffs
