Egyptian activists campaign for release of street performers

FILE - In this Monday, April 25, 2016 file photo, Egyptians demonstrate against President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi in Mesaha square in Cairo's Dokki district. In just the last three weeks, according to rights lawyers, nearly 1,300 were detained by police as the highly militarized force went after organizers and demonstrators protesting the surrender of control over two Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia in a deal that raised suspicions about a sell-off. (AP Photo/Mostafa Darwish, File) (The Associated Press)

This undated handout image provided by an Egyptian activist shows him posing for a 'selfie' part of an online campaign demanding the release from detention of members of a satirical street group whose selfie-style video clips mocked the country's president, in Egypt. Activists on Thursday, May 12, 2016 posted phone-wielding selfies entitled "does a mobile phone camera scare you?" and directed at President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi. Police this week arrested four members of the group Awlad el-Shawarea, or "Street children." A fifth member was arrested over the weekend but was later released on bail. They are facing a host of charges including inciting terror attacks and street protests as well as insulting state institutions. (UGC via AP) (The Associated Press)

COMBO - This undated handout combo image made of eight photos provided by the subjects, shows Egyptian activists posing for 'selfies' part of an online campaign demanding the release from detention of members of a satirical street group whose selfie-style video clips mocked the country's president. Activists on Thursday posted phone-wielding selfies entitled "does a mobile phone camera scare you?" and directed at President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi. Police this week arrested four members of the group Awlad el-Shawarea, or "Street children." A fifth member was arrested over the weekend but was later released on bail. They are facing a host of charges including inciting terror attacks and street protests as well as insulting state institutions. (UGC via AP) (The Associated Press)

Egyptian activists have taken to social media in droves to support an online campaign demanding the release from detention of members of a satirical street group whose selfie-style video clips mocked the country's president.

Activists on Thursday posted phone-wielding selfies entitled "does a mobile phone camera scare you?" and directed at President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi.

Police this week arrested four members of the group Awlad el-Shawarea, or "Street children." A fifth member was arrested over the weekend but was later released on bail. They are facing a host of charges including inciting terror attacks and street protests as well as insulting state institutions.

A recent clip by the group was entitled "el-Sissi, my president, made things worse" while another clip mocked the president's habit of ending speeches with "Long live Egypt!"