video transcript

Protesters in Egypt's capital shake and pry apart barricades surrounding the presidential palace. Angry at President Mohamed Mursi's recent moves to increase his power and speed a referendum on a controversial draft constitution, activists have brought their protests to his symbolic seat of power. Days of demonstrations and violent clashes between the president's opponents and the Islamists who support him have brought thousands to the streets of Cairo. This anti-Mursi protester was anticipating intimidation from Islamists on Tuesday, but said his side also has strength in numbers. Opposition leaders are planning to boycott the constitutional referendum scheduled for Saturday, but some disagree with the strategy. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) DEMONSTRATOR, AL SHARIF MOHAMED, SAYING: ''Go down and vote, say no so the revolution can unite us, one hand with the civil state, with freedom." Mursi recently gave the military power to arrest anyone who disrupts the referendum.