Thousands rally in Port Said on third day of general strike

Government employees leave work early as protesters demand justice for killers of 50 people in January

19 February 2013, 6:27 pm

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An Egyptian activist paints a mural depicting a slain activist with Arabic that reads 'Why did you do this? This is very sad,' on a wall in Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt, on February 19, 2013. (photo credit: Nasser Nasser/AP)

PORT SAID, Egypt (AP) — Hundreds of protesters in the restive city of Port Said have pressured government employees to leave work early as they enforced the third day of a general strike.

Thousands also rallied in a main square in the city on Tuesday, chanting against Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi.

The protesters marched to the main court house, shouting for the judge to send employees home. Witnesses said protest organizers called government offices asking them to leave work before midday.

Port Said sits at the tip of the Suez Canal but shipping through the strategic waterway has not been disrupted.

The protesters are demanding justice for security officials they blame for killing some 50 people during demonstrations in the city last month. Workers in local factories joined families of those killed in the protests.