Violence erupts as Egyptians vote on reforms News
Violence erupts as Egyptians vote on reforms

[JURIST] Activists calling for a boycott of the government-supported referendum [JURIST report] on constitutional changes to clear the way for multi-candidate presidential elections in Egypt were beaten and arrested by policemen and supporters of President Hosni Mubarak [official website] on Wednesday. The demonstrators say the referendum offers no real democratic changes and instead insures that Mubarak will not face any serious challengers, allowing the National Democratic Party [official website] to maintain its tight control in Egypt. In some instances during the protests, members of the anti-Mubarak movement Kifaya [Wikipedia entry] were beaten by pro-Mubarak gangs as police withdrew their forces to allow the attacks to continue. The referendum, expected to receive the necessary 51% of votes, will lay out the rules for the upcoming September elections. AP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Dreyfus convicted of treason

On December 22, 1894, Jewish French army officer Alfred Dreyfus was convicted of treason in a court-martial trial that prompted worldwide allegations of anti-Semitism. Dreyfus was later cleared. Learn more about the case of Alfred Dreyfus and read an English translation of the famous public letter J'Accuse...! by novelist and Dreyfus partisan Emile Zola.

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On December 22, 1807, the Embargo Act was passed at the urging of US President Thomas Jefferson. The act barred trade with any foreign nations in an effort to avoid American entry into the Napoleonic Wars of Europe. However, the act proved unenforceable and was replaced with the Non-Intercourse Act, which barred trade with France and Great Britain. Learn more about the Embargo Act of 1807 from Monticello.org