Demonstrators Rally Outside Of Egyptian Mission As Clashes Fuel Worldwide Outrage
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The killing of hundreds of supporters of ousted Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi by interim government forces has fueled outrage around the world.
In New York City, demonstrators protested the massacre outside of the Egyptian Mission to the United Nations on the East Side on Friday, CBS 2's Dick Brennan reported.
In Long Island City, parishioners of a Coptic Christian Church offered their prayers to the victims of the violent clashes.
Demonstrators Rally Outside Of Egyptian Mission As Clashes Fuel Worldwide Outrage
"It's heartbreaking. My entire family, the entire city is actually on lock-down. The police is informing everyone to stay in their houses and not to come outside," "Nardine" told WCBS 880's Ginny Kosola.
In Cairo, a scene of panic and desperation unfolded as marchers jumped off of a bridge to escape gunfire. Some people shimmied down cables while their counterparts on the ground did their best to help break their falls as they came down.
Members of the Muslim Brotherhood took to the streets in a nationwide "March Of Anger" in protest over the more than 600 people who were killed on Wednesday when government forces cracked down on camps of people who supported ousted Morsi.
Friday brought more gunfire and death but it was not immediately clear who started the clashes. The military government's response was reportedly ferocious with orders to protect security forces and government facilities.
Pro-government vigilante groups had also taken to the streets with machetes and batons, according to reports.
"It's a very tense situation and hopefully it does not get out of hand," the Middle East Institute's Dr. Graeme Bannerman said.
On Friday night a fire raged at an Arab contracting company. It was unclear how the fire started, but firefighters were apparently unable to get to the scene, according to reports.
Tampa resident Ahmed Bedier had traveled to Egypt to attend a family wedding. Instead, he said spent the day viewing his brother's body.
"He had a chance to see the whole family and say goodbye to all of us," Bedier said. "It was too emotional. He was too young to die."
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