Syrian plainclothes police forcefully disperse protest in Damascus / Protests across Syria

[Turborama]

Source: AP Via Washington Post

By Associated Press, Friday, March 18, 11:19 AM

DAMASCUS, Syria — Plainclothes security officers forcefully dispersed about a dozen protesters calling Friday for more freedoms in Syria, human rights activists said.

The activists said the protest occurred in the yard of Damascus’ famous Ummayad Mosque shortly after Friday prayers. At least two protesters were detained, they said.

The protest was the third small rally broken up in Damascus this week as authorities squelch gatherings in inspired by those sweeping the Arab world.

Eight Syrian human rights groups said a prosecutor had questioned and charged dozens of demonstrators with hurting the state’s image.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/syrian-plainclothes-police-forcefully-disperse-protest-in-damascus/2011/03/18/ABXsqUp_story.html

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Protests across Syria after foiled Damascus rally

AFP , Friday March 18 2011

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Dozens of security forces, who had gathered outside the mosque during the prayers, pulled out batons as soon as the chants broke out and detained at least two people, dragging away one who resisted while beating him and kicking him in the nose, AFP reporters witnessed.

=snip=

It was unclear what had sparked the chaos, but a video posted on Facebook group The Syrian Revolution 2011 -- which called for demonstrations after Friday prayer during a "Day of Dignity" -- showed a crowd of men inside the mosque chanting "there is no God but God," while a few calls of "freedom" could be heard before being drowned out.

Another video showed one man being dragged out of the mosque by other men who had attended the prayer.

The Facebook group also posted a video of a rally outside a landmark mosque in Homs, a main city 150 kilometres (about 100 miles) north of Damascus, where dozens of protesters marched, chanting "God, Syria, freedom."

More details on what went on in Syria today: http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/8009/World/Region/Protests--across-Syria-after-foiled-Damascus-rally.aspx

[brooklynite]

1. I was at the mosque two weeks ago...

Interesting that the police feel comfortable taking action inside a religious facility.

And I'll bet they didn't take their shoes off like we did...

[Turborama]

2. Video footage...

After online calls for a "day of dignity", protesters demanding an end to alleged government corruption took to the streets of cities across Syria on Friday. But they were met with a violent crackdown orchestrated by state security forces.

In one video subsequently posted online, water cannon are used on crowds of protesters. Al Jazeera's Bernard Smith reports on the "Facebook youth" who appear to be keeping one step ahead of the authorities.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oC55uPBKYqU