Male mob molests and gropes female Egyptian protesters at anti-sex assault rally

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Cairo, June 9: A mob of over hundred men attacked women protesters, who were holding a rally against sexual harassment at Cairo’s Tahir Square on Friday.

The attackers reportedly fought their way through the male protesters in the rally, to grope and molest several female marchers during the demonstration.

Some of the victims said that the attack appeared to have been an organized attempt to drive women out of demonstrations and trample on the pro-democracy protest movement in the country.

According to CBS News, Friday’s march, which was called for demanding an end to sexual assaults against females, saw around 50 women participating, who were surrounded by a larger group of male supporters who joined to hands to form a protective ring around them.

The protesters carried posters saying, “The people want to cut the hand of the sexual harasser,” and chanted, “The Egyptian girl says it loudly, harassment is barbaric.”

After the marchers entered a crowded corner of the square, a group of men waded into the women, heckling them and groping them. The male supporters tried to fend them off, but it turned into a melee involving a mob of hundreds.

Ahmed Mansour, a 22 year-old male medical student who took part in the march, said there are “people here trying to abuse the large number of women protesters who feel safe and secure. Some people think it is targeted to make women hate coming here.”

The attack follows smaller scale assaults on women this week in Tahrir, the epicenter of the uprising that forced Hosni Mubarak to step down last year, where thousands have been gathering in protests over a variety of issues, mainly over worries that presidential elections this month will secure the continued rule by elements of Mubarak’s regime backed by the ruling military. (ANI)