Toronto Egyptians Stage Protest Outside U.S. Consulate, Oppose Draft Constitution

Egyptian anti-Islamist protest outside U.S. consulate in Toronto

Toronto, ON (JournalistTO) — Canadian Egyptians staged a protest outside the U.S. consulate in Canada’s business capital on Friday, 14 Dec. 2012,  in the wake of a crucial referendum on a disputed constitution drafted by Islamist supporters  of President Mohammed Morsi.

“No to a constitution that denies freedom and rights in Egypt,” a poster carried by the protesters read. “U.S.A. stop dirty deals with Moslem Brotherhood,” another poster read. Demonstrators blame the U.S. administration for backing what they regard as a “dictator regime” led by Morsi, the first democratically elected president after a popular uprising ended former president Hosni Mubarak’s 30-year rule.

“Day and night, we will fight, against the wrong and for the right”, protesters chanted in the third anti-Islamist protest staged in Toronto this month.. “Our freedom is not for sale, all the fascists! Go back to jail,” they shouted.

Voting on the draft constitution will be held on two phases. The first phase will begin on Saturday Dec. 15 in 10 governorates including Cairo, Giza, and Alexandria, while the second phase will be held on Dec. 22. Egypt’s National Salvation Front renewed on Friday its call for voting against the draft constitution.

Pro-democracy activists say the draft charter allows religious authorities too much weight over lawmaking, threatens to curb freedom of expression and paves the way for Islamist control over day-to-day life.