“Here We Are, Bahrain”

“Here We Are, Bahrain”

Local Editor

Hundreds of thousands of Bahrainis flooded the streets of the capital Manama after Friday prayers in huge demonstration under the title of “"Here we are Bahrain," demanding freedom, political reforms and social justice, a year after authorities violently crushed a peaceful uprising. Hundreds of thousands of Bahrainis flooded the streets of  Manama on Friday in huge demonstration Policemen fired tear gas at a group of protesters but the rallies were largely peaceful and no one so far was arrested, an activist said. "It is one of the largest protests in recent years," Nabil Rajab, head of the Bahraini Centre for Human Rights Rajab told media sources. Demonstrators took to the streets in response to calls by several groups, primarily the head of Clerics’ Council of Bahrain Ayatollah Sheikh Issa Qassem, commemorating the first anniversary of the Saudi-led Peninsula Shield forces entrance to Bahrain. Sheikh Qassem was at the forefront of the protest. The Bahraini opposition demands political reforms, a people-elected government and constitutional changes that would reduce the power of the dynasty. Bahraini prisoners also participate in the demonstration from their cells, where detainees in Dry Dock prison started to launch chants of "Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest)" from their cells to assure their bothers they are still loyal to the faith of Free Bahrain until they achieve their legitimate demands. Tensions have remained high in Bahrain since a deadly crackdown last year after a month of Manama street protests. According to an independent probe 35 people were killed in last year's unrest, including five security personnel and five detainees tortured to death while in custody.

Source: Al-Manar Website 09-03-2012 - 19:40 Last updated 09-03-2012 - 19:40

 

Bahraini protesters take part in an anti-government rally in Bilad al-Kadim, a suburb of Manama, on February 24, 2012.
A month-long pro-democracy protests were bloodily crushed last year by the kingdom's Sunni minority rulers
with the help of a Saudi-led military intervention. (Photo:AFP/STR)

Related Articles

Iraqis Protest in Support of Bahrain Bahrainis Preparing for Mass Rallies Friday Bahraini Demonstrators Hold a “Sit-in Protests” Week Saudis Rally against Riyadh Suppression of Protests Al-Khalifa Forces Clash with Peaceful Protesters in Sanabis

River to Sea Uprooted Palestinian  
The views expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of this Blog!