The Begginings of the Trouble

Seeing the effectiveness of the internet in coordinating the demonstrations, the Egyptian government ordered the four Internet Service Providers in the nation to shut down, effectively cutting off the internet in the country.  Cellphone and land-line connections soon followed.

On Friday, protesters clashed violently with police.

Egypt in Turmoil (Early Friday evening)

Source: CNN

         Egyptian president Mubarak addressed his people via television around midnight, local time.  He asked the parliament to resign. He expressed no inclination that he himself would resign or leave the country, despite the demands of the people that he do so. He went on to say that he would lead the new government in reforms.  Mubarak also expressed that he was angry with the violent crackdown on the protesters by his police force. 

            The people were extremely angered by his refusal to step down.  Throughout the day on Friday, the police had been using rubber bullets and live ammunition, as well as teargas, to control the crowd.  Shortly after midnight, the police force disappeared from Cairo and Alexandria, being replaced by the army, which is much respected by the people.  The army maintained a large presence in Cairo’s Tahrir Square, which was the central gathering place for the protests.