Many people have gathered for a demonstration at Tahrir Square in Cairo May 13, 2011.

Thousands of Egyptians took to the streets on Friday to push their military rulers to do more to help Palestinians following the overthrow of former president Hosni Mubarak.

The gatherings in Cairo, Alexandria and El-Arish come amidst preparations by activists to organize a march to the Gaza Strip on Sunday, May 15 -- which Palestinians mark as the anniversary of their 1948 displacement following the establishment of Israel.

Egyptian authorities have banned the march, saying the timing was inappropriate given sectarian tensions in Egypt.

Harry Reid
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (L) listens to Senator Max Baucus after the U.S. Senate approved President Barack Obama's healthcare overhaul on Capitol Hill in Washington, December 24, 2009. REUTERS
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