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Some gathered at an Egyptian coffee shop in Astoria Friday to discuss the escalating violence. Others attended a protest outside the Egyptian consulate on Manhattan's East Side.

Egypt's military is on the streets of Cairo, where anti-government protesters are clashing with police. A nighttime curfew is trying to be enforced.

One protester was killed Friday, bringing the death toll to eight since the violence began.

They're challenging the rule of President Hosni Mubarak, who has been in power for 30 years.

Opponents say his government is corrupt, heavy-handed, and neglectful of poverty that afflicts nearly half of 80-million Egyptians.

Egyptian New Yorkers say it’s been next to impossible to get in touch with family members.

"So far, I'm not able to call my family. I'm not able to contact Egypt,” said one Queens resident. “There is no Internet. There is no YouTube. There is no Facebook. There is nothing. Egypt in a siege.”

“Where are all of those organizations always talking about human rights? So it is just like human rights in some areas of interest where it's suppose to be about internationally for everybody?” asked another.

“There is no telephone working. There is no Internet working,” said a third. “No communication at all. You cannot get in touch with your family. And he's been for 30 years for what? What he did, what he did more?”

In his first public statement since the crisis in Egypt began, President Barack Obama on Friday made clear his threat to pull back $1.5 billion in aid to the country.

The president said the U.S. will continue to fight for the rights of all Egyptians.

"I want to be very clear in calling upon the Egyptian authorities to refrain from any violence against peaceful protestors," Obama said. "The people of Egypt have rights that are universal. That includes the right of peaceful assembly and association. The right to free speech and their ability to determined their own destiny. The United States will continue to stand up for the rights of the Egyptian people and work with their government in the pursuit of a future that is more just, more free and more hopeful."

"We support the universal human rights of the Egyptian people, including the right to freedom of expression, of association, and of assembly,” said Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. “We urge the Egyptian authorities to allow peaceful protests, and to reverse the unprecedented steps it has taken to cut off communications."

Meanwhile, Mubarak has asked his cabinet to resign.

Mubarak told the nation he would stay on as president and commission a new cabinet to begin running the government.

The Egyptian government has come under intense pressure to lift its recent restrictions on cell phone and Internet service.

The State Department is urging American travelers to cancel any non-essential trips to the country and those already in Egypt are being advised to stay put.

Several airlines have also canceled flights to the region.