In Egypt, thousands of protesters are gathering at demonstrations in Cairo, Alexandria, and many other cities, calling for an end to the 30-year rule of president Hosni Mubarak:

The rallies had been promoted online by groups saying they speak for young Egyptians frustrated by the kind of poverty and oppression which triggered the overthrow of Tunisia's president. Egyptian blogger Hossam El Hamalawy said technology was important in facilitating "the domino effect" needed for demonstrations like this one to progress.





Amazing video here, a "Tienanmen Square" moment in which (around 1:21) a man (soon joined by other) faces off an approaching tank water cannon vehicle. And another here, just two of many eyewitness shots of the mass gatherings unfolding today. Lots more here.

Ethan Zuckerman points us to Global Voices Egypt coverage, lots of translations from social media.

Related NYT coverage here. The protests are said to be the largest in Egypt since 1977.

Photo, above: Anti-government protesters demonstrate near a damaged picture of Gamal Mubarak, son of Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak and head of the higher political committee of the country's National Democratic Party (NDP), in Alexandria, 230 km (140 miles) north of Cairo, earlier today. (REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh)

Photo, below: Anti-government protesters clash with police in downtown Cairo today. (REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh)

Below: this incredible photograph from abdulrahman is making the Twitter rounds.