Thousands rally against Egyptian president to mark anniversary of anti-government youth group

Members of Egypt’s April 6 Youth Movement shout anti-Muslim Brotherhood slogans during a rally in front of Cairo's stock market, in Cairo, Egypt, Saturday, April 6, 2013. The group is rallying to mark its fifth anniversary and to protest against President Mohammed Morsi. Arabic on T-shirts reads, "6th April." (AP Photo/ Amr Nabil) (The Associated Press)

A member of Egypt’s April 6 Youth Movement holds a noose in front of the presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, Saturday, April 6, 2013. The group is rallying to mark its fifth anniversary and to protest against President Mohammed Morsi. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil) (The Associated Press)

Thousands of Egyptians demonstrated across the country to denounce the president and purse the goals of the 2011 popular uprising.

Saturday's protests marked the fifth anniversary of the formation of the April 6th Youth Movement started in 2008 under former President Hosni Mubarak. Workers in Mahalla tore down a poster of Mubarak in what was a daring move at the time.

The group also played a crucial role in the uprising that toppled Mubarak.

The movement initially backed President Mohammed Morsi in election run-offs last June, but has since turned against him.

The opposition accuses him of acting like his autocratic predecessor and of not having an inclusive political process. Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood party says Morsi should be challenged at the ballot box, not in street protests.