Egypt Islamists defy contentious protest law with traditional Friday demonstrations
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
Hundreds of Islamist demonstrators are taking to the streets in cities across Egypt, days after a disputed protest law was adopted and police forcefully broke up unauthorized gatherings.
Friday's demonstrations, after weekly Muslim prayers traditionally used by Islamists to mobilize their largest numbers, appear to be a test for the authorities who adopted the contentious bill partially to stop the near-daily gatherings organized by supporters of ousted Islamist president Mohammed Morsi.
Morsi was ousted by the military in July, following mass demonstrations calling for his resignation.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
Since the law was first enforced Sunday, security forces dispersed several protests forcefully. Clashes in a student demonstration left one dead Thursday.
The Interior Ministry warned on Thursday that security forces will deal "firmly" with "illegal" protests organized by Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood group.