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January 25, 2012 04:11
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Egypt: Protests erupt on anniversary of revolution (LIVE BLOG)

What's happening from Cairo's Tahrir Square.

What do you think?

unity that prevailed last January. The United States will continue to stand with the Egyptian people, and those across the region, as they defend universal values and work toward a better future for all Egyptians.

 UPDATE: 1/25/12 215 PM ET / 915 PM CAIRO

Music has played a crucial role in helping Egyptians voice their views on the Revolution. 

Dalia Ziada, a blogger and human-rights activist in Cairo, talked to NPR about Mohamed Mounir, "a singer so revered, he's known as 'The Voice of Egypt'." 

His single, "Ezzay," which means "How Come?", fast became the anthem of the protests. Ziada said that Mounir compares Egypt to a lover in the song.

"He's telling it, 'I love you, and I know you love me, too, but you have to appreciate what I'm doing for you. I will keep changing you until you love me as I love you,' " Ziada told NPR, adding that that's exactly how Egyptians feel about their country. Mounir's song was not played on Egyptian state radio, but the video is online, and it's been watched hundreds of thousands of times.

Non-profit Middle Eastern news source Aslan Media has rounded up even more music that has emerged from Egypt's revolution.

UPDATE: 1/25/12 150 PM ET / 850 PM CAIRO

Ahram Online reported that a woman gave birth in Tahrir Square today:

It's not just revolutions that see the light of day in Egypt's squares. Tahrir News reports that a protester gave birth today in Tahrir Square. She was rushed to an ambulance where she delivered her baby.

UPDATE: 1/25/12 130 PM ET / 330 PM CAIRO

Tweet updates say crowds are flocking to Maspero, the large building near Tahrir Square in Downtown Cairo that houses Egyptian Radio and Television Union:

 

UPDATE: 1/25/12 120 PM ET / 820 PM CAIRO

As night falls in Cairo, many are wondering if the military is really prepared to give up their tight hold on Egypt, which they are slated to do July. 

In a special report, GlobalPost followed the money trail to see just how much financial power the Egyptian military had...and if it will really give that power up.

Amr Hamzawy, a former research director for the Carnegie Middle East Center and political science professor at Cairo University, has researched the military and Egypt’s economy for years. He told GlobalPost reporters that the military may controlup to 30 percent of Egypt’s total $180 billion economy, or $60 billion.

In this video from Al Jazeera, Egyptians — half of whom live on just $2 a day — reflect on the revolution's effect on the economic climate in Egypt: 

 

       UPDATE: 1/25/12 1230 PM ET / 730 PM CAIRO

Our special report on Egypt's 'digital activism' hits its limit examines the schism that has developed between the young, educated and liberal population and the older, traditional generation dependent on more loyal and state-controlled media.

Even this day, Jan. 25, has been marked by the division between rallying groups: Is it a celebration of the anniversary of President Hosni Mubarak's ouster? Or is it a protest against the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) which remains in power until elections are held? Our correspondent, Erin Cunningham, spoke to PBS about the tensions between the opposing groups.

This video was shot a year ago, on Jan. 25 in Tahrir Square by Egyptian blogger Gigi Ibrahim:

UPDATE: 1/25/12 1200 PM ET / 700 PM CAIRO

 

In this video from Ahram Online, protesters are heard

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/egypt/120124/egypt-live-blog-jan-25-revolution-anniversary-mubarak-military-protests

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