Pro- and anti-government protesters have filled the streets of Cairo since last month, when Egyptian President Mohamed Morsy moved to extend his powers in a move he said was to protect the country's nascent revolution. In this image by iReporter Maged Eskander from December 4, anti-Morsy protesters can be seen thronging the area around the presidential palace.
(CNN) -- Violent protests have rocked the Egyptian capital, Cairo, in recent weeks following President Mohamed Morsy's decision to expand his presidential powers last month.
The president and his supporters from the powerful Muslim Brotherhood and Islamist factions have argued that the move was essential to protect the country's recent revolution.
However anti-government protesters viewed the move as a power grab, and have clogged the city's streets fighting pitched battles with pro-government demonstrators ahead of the country's vote on its new constitution on December 15.
We asked for photos of the protests, and Egyptians responded with powerful images, documenting what many of them say is a challenge to the country's young democracy.
Tensions in Egypt turn deadly
Are you in Egypt? Share your view of the protests, but stay safe
"People fear that this could be the birth of a new dictator," frequent iReporter and anti-Morsy protester Ahmed Raafat told CNN.
"The people (anti-Morsy protesters) chant: 'This time we're serious, we won't leave the revolution to anyone.'"
© 2013 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
CNN iReport
An anonymous protester holds empty tear gas canisters and a shell casing in this photo by 
Anti-Morsy protesters said they feared a return to the days of ousted President Hosni Mubarak. Some appropriated iconic images from other global protests, such as 
In this image by iReporter Hasan Amin, taken on November 27, a protester is captured preparing to throw back a tear gas canister fired by police.
Police, and some men not in uniform, charged at protesters amid a hail of stones and ripped-up pavement cement blocks in this image by Hasan Amin from November 27. At least 35 officers have been injured in the various protests.
At earlier protests, those gathered were "hopeful and very determined," said iReporter Sherine Mishriki, who sent in this image of youths 
Anti-government protesters set up tents in Tahrir Square, calling on Morsy to reverse his decree, in this image by Sherine Mishriki from November 27. Protesters were angered by the nation's draft constitution, which liberal, secular groups said did not offer enough protections to women or religious minorities.
On December 1, Morsy supporters 
By December 4, protests had gotten larger and anti-government demonstrators 
On December 5, pro- and anti-Morsy protesters fought bloody battles on the streets outside the palace. Several deaths have been reported and hundreds of people have been injured, authorities say. iReporter Hasan Amin said 
|