Google Hero Wael Ghonim Vows to 'Not Abandon Our Demand' That Mubarak Quit

CAIRO, Egypt Feb. 8, 2011 — -- A Google executive who is credited with helping to spark the Egyptian uprising turned today's huge turnout into a cheering and whistling throng by promising that "we will not abandon our demand and that is the departure of the regime."

During his speech in Cairo's Tahrir Square, Wael Ghonim offered condolences to the families of those who were killed. During an interview yesterday with a Egyptian TV station, Ghonim wept when he was told that more than 100 had died in the uprising.

"I'm not a hero, but those who were martyred are the heroes," he said, then breaking into a chant of "Mubarak leave, leave."

Ghonim's appearance drew the crowd back to Tahrir Square today as evidence began to emerge that some Egyptians are starting to tire of the more than two week long street uprising.

When Ghonim finished speaking, the crowd erupted in cheering, whistling and deafening applause.

Earlier in the day, Ghonim tweeted to his followers, "Egyptians are making history."

Ghonim is credited with being a major factor in mobilizing Egyptian outrage and crowds through a Facebook account. People poured into the square today after Egyptian protesters tweeted for their return, signifying that many protesters clearly have not tired of the effort to oust President Hosni Mubarak.

Ghonim, 30, was taken into custody during the initial days of the protests and was released Monday. He gave an emotional interview to an Egyptian TV station Monday, describing his period of captivity and his hopes for the future of Egypt.

Ghonim told private station Dream 2 TV that while he was in captivity, his interrogators were convinced that foreigners were backing the movement. Ghonim asserted that it was just young Egyptians "who love this country" at the heart of the protests.

Ghonim also denied that the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, Mubarak's most bitter rival, was involved in organizing the protests. Instead he blamed Mubarak's National Democratic Party for the country's problems.

"I don't want to see the logo of the NDP anywhere in the country," Ghonim said. "This party is what destroyed this country. The cadre in this party are filthy."