Protesters in Bahrain retake Pearl Roundabout

[brooklynite]

Source: CNN

Manama, Bahrain (CNN) -- Thousands of joyous Bahrainis retook a major square in the heart of the island nation's capital Saturday -- a dramatic turn of events two days after security forces ousted demonstrators from the spot in a deadly attack.

The sight of citizens streaming into Pearl Roundabout came as the Bahrain royal family appealed for dialogue to end a turbulent week of unrest and the crown prince ordered the removal of the military from the Pearl Roundabout, a top demand by opposition forces.

Police were placed in charge but withdrew on the heels of the military.

The roundabout -- the focal point of protests in central Manama, much like Tahrir Square in the Egyptian capital of Cairo -- was filled by people waving Bahraini flags, praying and honking horns.

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/02/19/bahrain.protests/index.html?hpt=T1

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Could be another long weekend.

[Jackpine Radical]

1. I salute the courage and tenacity of the Bahraini people.

The sacrifices of those who gave their lives for freedom were not in vain. The international community now knows that murder is the last recourse of a desperate despot, and will fail.

[IDemo]

2. Bahrain protesters reclaim central square

Source: msnbc.com

MANAMA, Bahrain — Thousands of anti-government protesters streamed back into their former stronghold of Pearl Square in Bahrain's capital Manama, witnesses said, after first the army and then riot police withdrew.

Bahrain's crown prince ordered the withdrawal of all military from the streets, after a call for talks with the opposition was rejected.

At least 50 people were wounded when soldiers opened fire on an apparently peaceful protest Friday.

When the army left the square, protesters tried to move in but the police initially attacked them, firing teargas or smoke bombs and beating some demonstrators.




Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41678039/ns/world_news-mideastn_africa/

[ellenrr]

3. Bahrain protesters celebrate as police, soldiers withdraw from Pearl Square

Source: Reuters

2/19/11- Confrontations give way to a massive party as protesters gather in square where hours earlier a bloody crackdown was staged by security forces. Crown Prince Salman ibn Hamed Khalifa tells CNN that he had ordered the removal of the military from the square and that protesters would be allowed to gather and voice their concerns without fear.

Protesters celebrated Saturday in Bahrain when police and soldiers withdrew from Manama's symbolic Pearl Square, allowing young Shiite Muslims eager for a larger role in Bahraini society to take back their central stage. "The police backed down when they saw thousands of people coming from four directions," said one demonstrator.
Confrontations gave way to a massive party as protesters chanted, hugged and waved yellow and red plastic flowers. Hundreds of Bahraini flags fluttered in the wind.

Soldiers had fired tear gas and bullets at demonstrators a day earlier and brutally cleared Pearl Square before dawn on Thursday, rousting sleeping protesters camped in the traffic roundabout.At least four people died in the confrontations in and around Pearl Square, and dozens were injured, according to hospital sources. At least two people were wounded earlier Saturday when violence erupted for a third straight day at the square. An angry crowd of men and women sang, "Down, down Hamed!" referring to the king, and "Bring down the government!"

An angry woman impatient to march on Pearl Square shouted: "Every day! We need to be on the street!" Protesters wore bandannas over their faces to protect against tear gas. But when the police left, the mood turned happy. A protester who gave his name only as Riyad said: "We will stay. It will not end until the government listens to the people. We will not give up until the government collapses."



Read more: http://www.latimes.com/news/la-fgw-bahrain-square-20110220,0,6973156.story

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woohoo!

additional links:
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/166018.html

http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/02/19/idINIndia-55011720110219