Edmonton-Egyptians join the fight

EDMONTON - On the fifth day of demonstrations in Egypt, violence consumes the streets of Cairo. It's estimated as many as 74 protestors have been killed and as many as 2,000 others injured in the country's fight for democracy. But their cries for change have not gone unheard. Egyptians around the world are standing in solidarity with their fellow countrymen.

In Edmonton on Saturday, the crowd of protestors outside City Hall may have been smaller and more peaceful, but the message was still the same.

"We're standing here to show the Egyptians back home that we do support them. We support their move to throw off the regime," said Mohamed Elmadany, the President of the Egyptian Society of Edmonton.

On Saturday morning, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak named a Vice President for the first time in 30 years of power. He also called for the government to resign. But for many, that is not enough.

"He (the President) has to come down, him and the entire family. It is not a kingdom so we should be able to choose our own president," said Elmadany. "We want the regime to end. We don't want any more bloodshed."

Shaykh Zak Sheikh, a Muslim chaplain at the University of Alberta agrees. "The most damage that can happen if this thing is extinguished halfway. It has to go full blown."

While the Edmonton-Egyptians realize their local protest will do little to make Mubarak step down, they hope their local rally will motivate their fellow protestors on the other side of the world to continue their fight for freedom. "At least if they see the videos on Facebook from all around the world, they'll know everyone is supporting them. It's not just everybody inside, but everybody outside as well," said Elmadany.

Meanwhile, the Canadian government is urging Egypt's President to limit the use of force in the clashes. "We've been encouraging the government, and particularly President Mubarak, in this instance, to provide and bring forward reforms both from a democratic perspective, as well as a economic perspective," said Lawrence Cannon, Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Canadians are also being advised against 'non essential' travel to Cairo, Alexandria and Suez because of Egypt's civil unrest. An official warning issued on Friday also states that telecommunication services may be disrupted and a nationwide curfew has been imposed. Canadians already in Egypt are being told to avoid all demonstrations and large gatherings, as they can turn violent at any moment.