Egyptian Revolution: Part 1: The Flood

In the first part of a three-part documentary on the Egyptian Revolution by Thomson Reuters Foundation, narrator Heba Kandil recounts the first few days of the uprising against the regime of Hosni Mubarak, which began on January 25, as she experienced it.

Inspired by the success of the Tunisian revolt, which led to the ouster of its president, Zine el Abidine ben Ali, Egyptians followed suit. Thousands amassed in front of the parliament building, protesting against the government, and clashed with police forces in Tahrir Square, demanding national reform in a country plagued by poverty and corruption. Within the first two days, around 500 demonstrators were arrested. On January 28, dubbed “Friday of Wrath,” Mubarak makes his first statement since the unrest began, signaling the beginning of the power struggle between the leader and his people.