With demonstrations toppling the governments of Egypt and Tunisia, the citizens of Algeria tried to seize the momentum today. But an estimated 30,000 police officers were put in place in Algiers to try to prevent the flow of protesters in and around the city.
Violent clashes between anti-government protesters and the police have already claimed the lives of at least five Algerians, Al-Jazeera reported, and the president has indicated that he is prepared to lift the state of emergency that has been in place for the past 19 years in response to the uprising.
While it remains uncertain whether any other nations in the Arab world will see the kind of upheaval witnessed in Egypt and Tunisia, Wael Ghonim, the Google manager credited with sparking the Cairo protests with his use of Facebook, left a message for those who would follow suit in Algeria.
My heart and prayers to the Algerian brothers and sisters. #Jan25 #Algeria
Wael Ghonim
Ghonim
More coverage from Surge Desk:
Wael Ghonim Tweets Plea to 'Educated Egyptians'
Ghonim Credits Facebook for Mubarak Ouster
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