The number of participants in Facebook groups calling for a general strike in Egypt on May 5, the 80th birthday of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak – has reached 250,000 (see "Calls In Egypt For General Strike On Mubarak's Birthday").
The website reports that every day more groups join in.
The participants are calling on Egyptian citizens to wear black as a sign of mourning for the death of freedom and democracy in Egypt.
In addition, 700 young people belonging to the Muslim Brotherhood have declared, also via Facebook, that they will defy the movement and the instructions of its general guide to participate in the strike.
The oppositionist Kifaya movement said it would determine its position vis-à-vis the strike only after other political elements, including the Muslim Brotherhood, decide how they will act.
Source: Al-Masri Al-Yawm, Egypt, April 18, 2008
