Bahrain protesters take control of main square

[oberliner]

Source: AP

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Thousands of protesters poured into a main square in Bahrain's capital Tuesday in an Egypt-style rebellion that sharply escalated pressure on authorities as the Arab push for change gripped the Gulf for the first time.

Security forces have battled demonstrators calling for political reforms and greater freedoms over two days, leading to the deaths of two protesters and the main opposition group vowing to freeze its work in parliament in protest.

In a clear sign of concern over the widening crisis, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa made a rare national TV address, offering condolences for the deaths, pledging an investigation into the killings and promising to push ahead with reforms, which include loosening state controls on the media and Internet.

"We extend our condolences to the parents of the dear sons who died yesterday and today. We pray that they are inspired by the Almighty's patience, solace and tranquility," said the king, who had previously called for an emergency Arab summit to discuss the growing unrest.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110215/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_bahrain_protests

[Jankyn]

1. "No Sunnis, no Shi'ites. We are all Bahrainis."

I like the sound of this: Demanding an end to religious discrimination, free elections and a more responsive government. Sounds do-able without "de-stabilizing" the region.

[madmax]

2. LOVE your subject line!

I would like to see all the radical Mullah's (every country) hung upside down ala Mussolini and beaten on the soles of their feet by any and all of their countrymen/women who wish.

[ellenrr]

5. I would agree with you, but I would amend it to

"every country" AND every religion.

[madmax]

9. I hear you... nt

[gateley]

3. I like the sound of it, too. Maybe there is hope. I know so many of them are

devout, but I wonder how many of them are "devout" in the way that, say, the C Street denizens are devout and true to the teachings of their religion.

[pampango]

4. WaPo: Blindsided in Bahrain

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/postpartisan/2011/02/blindsided_in_bahrain.html

According to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, all was well in the Persian Gulf emirate of Bahrain just two months ago, when she paid a visit. "I am very impressed by the progress Bahrain is making on all fronts -- economically politically, socially," she enthused as a town hall meeting. Speaking of the ruling al Khalifa family, she said, "I think the commitment to democracy is paramount."

Now, however, Bahrain is at the forefront of the continuing Arab uprising -- the only Persian Gulf state where the popular protests of Tunisia and Egypt have spread. On both Monday and Tuesday thousands of protesters gathered in the center of Manama, the capital, only to be frontally attacked by riot police. So far, two have been killed. The demonstrators nevertheless managed to reach a central square, dominated by a statute of a pearl, that they are calling "Tahrir," or "Liberation" square in honor of the Egyptian revolution. Their demand is the same as that in Cairo: genuine democracy.

So why is this happening in a country that, according to Clinton, had an election for parliament in October that "was free and fair" and "was a really strong signal of the progress this is being made." The answer is simple: Bahrain, which is host to the U.S. Fifth Fleet, is not free after all. It is, rather, another Arab country where the Obama administration chose to ignore growing popular unrest -- and serious repression by the regime -- in the interests of good relations with a friendly autocracy.

Last August, with the parliamentary election approaching, the regime launched a crackdown against the Shiite opposition. Hundreds of suspected activists were rounded up, and 23 leaders -- including two clerics and a prominent blogger -- were charged under anti-terrorism laws with trying to overthrow the government. A human rights group that had received U.S. funding and that had planned to monitor the election was taken over by a government ministry.

[fasttense]

6. Glad to hear it but their federal government is pretty hateful when it comes to protests.

I hope they stay safe.

[Kingofalldems]

7. This is mob rule!!!

:shrug: :sarcasm:

[Tx4obama]

8. AP: Update

Bahrain square becomes new center for Arab anger
Feb 15, 9:16 PM EST

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) -- Thousands of protesters took over a main square in Bahrain's capital Tuesday - carting in tents and raising banners - in a bold attempt to copy Egypt's uprising and force high-level changes in one of Washington's key allies in the Gulf.

The move by demonstrators capped two days of clashes across the tiny island kingdom that left at least two people dead, parliament in limbo by an opposition boycott and the king making a rare address on national television to offer condolences for the bloodshed.

Security forces - apparently under orders to hold back - watched from the sidelines as protesters chanted slogans mocking the nation's ruling sheiks and called for sweeping political reforms and an end to monarchy's grip on key decisions and government posts.

Full article: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/ML_BAHRAIN_PROTESTS?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2011-02-15-21-16-54

[Tx4obama]

10. Here's a link to 93 photos of the Bahrain protest

Bahrain protest: 93 photos
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Protests-Bahrain/ss/events/wl/021511bahrainprotest

and a link to article - http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/us_bahrain