Port Said, one of the most prominent canal cities, has been recently hit by a wave of violence in ongoing clashes between Egyptian security forces and protesters; further turmoil is expected ahead of the second Port Said football court verdict scheduled for 9 March.
The recent decision to transfer the prisoners convicted or facing charges for their role in the February 2012 Port Said stadium disaster to an unknown location outside of the city revived unrest in the canal city, as thousands reportedly have attacked the security directorate since Sunday. Clashes are still ongoing.
There is no police presence in the city, and army units are spread all over. In response, citizens have formed popular committees to organise traffic.
"Traffic police have disappeared from the city for the third time in less than two months, so we decided to form popular committees to organise traffic in the city’s main streets like El-Thalathiny,"ِ Ahmed Said, owner of a stationery shop in El-Thalathiny Street, told Ahram Online.
Huge banners cover the city's streets with pictures of slain protesters that have been killed in the violence after a court verdict issued on 26 January sentenced 21 out of 73 defendants to death for their involvement in the Port Said football riot.
"Revenge is our duty towards the martyrs," one banner read.
Other signs on Port Said's walls, such as "Injustice leads to explosion" and "Together we will resist injustice," denounce the 'injustice' the city has been subjected to since the Port Said Stadium disaster last year.
"The courageous city will forever be resilient," read another slogan spread around the city.
The city is dominated by growing feelings of "injustice" and the urge to take "revenge." Most Port Said residents believe the police have been using extreme violence against protesters, following the 26 January court verdict that led to violent clashes and resulted in more than 40 people killed, mostly civilians, and during the city's most recent protests.
"The decision [to relocate the prisoners] was taken without the knowledge of the local authorities; the families of the prisoners have the right to know the whereabouts of their children. The injustice against Port Said must come to an end," said renowned leftist politician and former MP El-Badry Farghaly.
The ‘Martyrs Square,’ located in central Port Said, that was once erected to honour the fallen heroes and 'martyrs' during the Tripartite Aggression in 1956, is now a battle zone with parts of the governorate building and the security directorate destroyed after being set ablaze....
