A Year after Revolution: Bahrainis Determined on Peaceful Change

Monday, 13 February 2012

A Year after Revolution: Bahrainis Determined on Peaceful Change

Tens of thousands of Bahrainis are taking to streets on Tuesday to commemorate the first anniversary of revolution, with regime keeping its strategy of brutality against protesters.
Faced by tear gas bombs and live bullets, protesters poured into a landmark roundabout in the nation’s capital, served as the epicenter of weeks of pro-democracy protests last year.

Thousands of opposition supporters marched through Manama's streets in the largest attempt in months to retake Pearl Roundabout, where tens of martyrs had fallen and hundreds others were wounded.
"Down with (King) Hamad!" protesters chanted.

The Coalition of the Youth of February 14th Revolution had urged sympathizers to march to Manama to commemorate the first anniversary of the uprising that was brutally crushed.

Opposition groups in a joint statement called the police reaction "hysterical," saying security forces attacked women and children and clerics who were badly beaten.

In a “warning” to activists on the eve of Tuesday's anniversary, public security chief Major General Tariq al-Hassan cautioned Bahrainis "not to respond to the inciting calls on (online) social networks to demonstrate."

In a statement published on the official BNA news agency, Hassan said the security forces would not hesitate to respond to "those that want to take advantage... to carry out unlawful, irresponsible acts that threaten public order."

On Monday, police fired tear gas bombs to disperse thousands of protesters who broke away from an opposition demonstration and tried to head for Pearl Square which was swept away by regime forces.

On the other hand, Bahraini activists stated that Saudi reinforcements began in Bahrain, with Saudi military tanks were crossing King Fahd road which connects Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

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