it began a year ago, a young tunisan street vendor set himself on fire to protest an unsponsored democracy. the majority of the arab population is under 25. after the tunisia rulers fled the country, egypt leader of the arab world was next to erupt. the people took to tahrir or liberation square by the thousands and we were in the middle of it. >> crushing defeat, for whatever you do, a crushing defeat. >> reporter: suddenly, this almost medieval sight. charging the crowd and cracking their whip. soon, this square was a battle ground. we went back to the square and quickly found ourselves surrounded. by an angry mob of promubarak supporters. you want us to go? >> yes, i want you to go from here. >> they kicked in the car's doors and broke our windshields as we drove off. they threw a rock through the front window the glass is shattered all over our driver. violence flaired that night. morning brought with it some calm. inside barricade, again the protesters are lining up, their own civil defense here, prepared for what might happen here this afternoon. all over the square, we saw the weary