to over take the square. some of those vehicles were sent alight. some the fires still burning at this hour. it has been pitch battles in the street and again the question is what will happen when morning comes, when light break, will more pro-mubarak protesters join the fray? will more anti-mubarak protesters join the fray, be able to gain access to the square to support those who are still in the square at this hour? they are not leaving. they are holding their ground. but the question is, elliot, what happens in the hours ahead? we witnessed this firsthand when we were -- my team and i attempted to get to the square to report on both sides, we wanted to talk to pro-mubarak protesters and anti-mubarak protesters. we wanted to hear both of their opinions, both of their vantage points. we were set upon by a crowd of pro-mubarak supporters, punching us, kicking us, trying to rip the clothes off my producer, trying to take the camera from my cameraman, pumping me in the head several times and the body. all of us were punched. it lasted for several minutes.