Thousands of people are gathering in the Egyptian capital for a protest against President Mohamed Morsi, who last week granted himself sweeping new powers.

Protesters and riot police clashed in Cairo on Tuesday near Tahrir Square, the birthplace of the uprising that toppled former President Hosni Mubarak nearly two years ago.

Lawyers left their syndicate chanting, “The people want the downfall of the regime,” – the signature chant of the protests that toppled Mubarak in February, 2011.

Several other marches were preparing to set off from around the capital to join thousands of protesters already in the square to denounce Morsi’s decree.

In the city of Alexandria, several hundred gathered in Qaitbay Square, with two large marches expected to join them later.

“Down with the rule of the Supreme Guide,” they chanted, in reference to the head of the powerful Muslim Brotherhood, on whose ticket Morsi ran for office.

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