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Nabil Al-Jurani / AP
Followers of Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, seen in the posters, chant anti-Saudi and Bahraini governments slogans while waving Bahrain flags during a demonstration in Basra, Iraq's second-largest city, on March 9, 2012.
Tens of thousands of Bahrainis demonstrated on Friday to demand democratic reforms, stepping up pressure on the U.S.-allied government with the biggest protest yet in a year of unrest.
They began marching along a highway near Manama in response to a call from leading Shiite cleric Sheikh Isa Qassim, who urged people to renew their calls for greater democracy.
A live blog showed images of the protesters carrying banners denouncing "dictatorship" and demanding the release of detainees.
"We are here for the sake of our just demands that we cannot make concessions over and we stick with them because we have sacrificed for them," Sheikh Isa Qassim said before the march in his weekly sermon in the Shiite village of Diraz.
Qassim and other Shiite clerics led the march.
"It is the biggest demonstration in the past year. I would say it could be over 100,000," said a Reuters photographer after protesters filled up the main Budaiya highway in the area of Diraz and Saar, west of Manama.
Security forces fired tear gas at a small group of protesters, but the rally was mostly peaceful, the BBC reported.
Activists had called for the biggest rally since the Bahraini authorities quelled a popular protest with help from Saudi troops more than a year ago.
Later, hundreds of protesters broke away from the march to walk down the main highway into Manama in an attempt to return to a traffic intersection that protesters occupied for a month during last year's uprising.
Activists said riot police blocking the road fired tear gas and the interior ministry said protesters threw stones.
The government, pressed by its Western allies to allow peaceful expression of dissent, has allowed more opposition protests in recent months.
The BBC reported some protesters chanted "Down, down Hamad," referring to King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
A statement from the royal court praised a small Friday rally of several hundred government loyalists under the name "Fateh Gathering", and the Qassim march, as signs of democratic maturity.
"The events at the Fateh Gathering as well as the gathering in the Northern Governorate are a source of pride for Bahrainis as a model of correct democratic behavior," state news agency BNA reported.
Majority Shiites were in the forefront of the protest movement which erupted in February 2011 after uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia. The Shiia population makes up about 70 percent of the country's 525,000 citizens.
The ruling Sunni Muslim Al Khalifa family crushed the protests a month later, imposing martial law and bringing in Saudi and United Arab Emirates troops to help restore order. It accused the Shiite power Iran of fomenting the unrest.
On Friday, Iraqi followers of Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr demonstrated in Basra in support of the Bahraini opposition. Around 3,000 people chanted anti-Saudi slogans and carried Bahraini and Iraqi flags.
Daily clashes
Bahrain, where the U.S. Navy Fifth Fleet is based, has remained mired in crisis and Shiite youths clash daily with riot police. The unrest has slowed the economy in what used to be a major tourism and banking hub.
Tension has risen around the February 14 anniversary of the uprising, with security forces maintaining a tight grip on the intersection formerly known as the Pearl Roundabout, which remains closed.
Pro-government Sunni groups have organized smaller counter-rallies, warning authorities not to enter into a dialogue on reforms that could give the elected parliament legislative clout and the power to form governments.
Those groups look to Sunni power Saudi Arabia as a key ally and demonize the opposition as loyal to Iran, a charge the opposition parties deny. Analysts say Riyadh does not want Bahrain to agree to reforms that empower Shiites.
Activists say at least 27 people have been killed in the unrest since June, many from the effects of tear gas. The government disputes the causes of death.
King Hamad appeared to dismiss the opposition last month, saying they were disunited.
Qassim said Friday's march would show how strong the opposition was. "The march will either prove you are only an isolated minority making demands, or that the demands are widely popular," he said in his sermon, which was posted on YouTube.
Next month, the Bahraini Grand Prix motor race is due to be held in the country, according to the BBC.
Reuters contributed to this report.
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Interesting. I didn't see many or any women in that photo. I wonder if these guys are Al'quida leaning or if they want a real open republic for their country?
Maybe their demand for a democratic government will resemble pre-1920 America, before women's suffrage. I don't think they're demanding a republic.
Dude, they just in the article said they're demanding that...
It seems from the article it's less about republic and more about a power struggle between those Sunnis who power over majority Shiites. Just like in Syria, or Lybia people fight because they are tired of being ruled by what is in essence by one group dictating another. If the Shiites overtake the government will they get a real republic. Maybe, maybe not.
The point is that they literally said they were demanding a democracy. They want to turn a monarchy into a democracy, there's no ambiguity there.
Not everything that is going on in the Middle East is about al-Qaeda. Many people there actually like the idea of democracy. Whether nor not they will ever achieve it is another matter. At any rate, they're not all the same.
They want to do away with womens rights, just like in Egypt http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/03/08/10613640-an-egyptian-career-woman-soon-it-could-be-rare
The @!$%#es also want to overthrow the Sunnis and align the country closer to Iran, just what we need another ally turning into the enemy..
-Sam,
"They want to do away with womens rights, just like in Egypt"
Who are "they"? Are you suggesting that everyone in the opposition wants exactly the same thing? I doubt that.
How many American women could vote prior to suffrage in America? Zero. We had what we considered to be a democracy, where "all were created eqaul". Women don't have a voice today in the Arab world in government (in most nations any way).
These people are followers of who? Read this and ye shall know!
"They began marching along a highway near Manama in response to a call from leading Shiite cleric Sheikh Isa Qassim, who urged people to renew their calls for greater democracy."
Do you think this cleric wants (or cares about) the civil rights of women? Apparently these men and followers of Isa Qassim want the same society that Republicans want for America. Go figure, the religious right in the Arab and American worlds have a lot in common!
Well they to tend to have a lot in common Peoria, both groups are very conservative, good point. And I don't think being conservative is necessarily wrong just like being liberal is not necessarily wrong.
Being conservative isn't necessarily wrong. Having many of the same goals as radical Arabs like this sheik's followers could be. We saw first hand last year what these two conservative groups have in common.
I know you want me to name them, so here goes...the collapse of the US government (what did those Tea Partiers say when they boycotted raising the debt limit?); implementation of their religious beliefs into federal and state law; take away the rights of those minority groups they dislike or see as a threat to their political domination (college students, immigrants, illegal aliens, blacks, poor, unemployed, women), such as voting rights, civil rights, rights to health care, right to a public education, right to participation in government (Michigan and its takeover of city governments and public school districts); elimination of women's right to female health care regarding abortion and prenatal care and gender specific care (do you really want me to give examples?); attack on public education via defunding at the state and local levels; attack on unions in private and public sectors; attack on American society in general based upon religious beliefs, etc.
There is a lot more, but I think you get the picture from this short list. That is more than enough in my book. Like the Muslim radicals, the American radicals want to take our world and country back 150 years and destroying America socially, politically and economically is part of it according to the Republicans and Tea Party. They admitted it outright many times last year.
What is going on in Bahrain is similar to Syria.
Muslim minority sect rulers are ruling!
In Syria, it is some Alwahite or non-Sunni, and in Bahrain it is a Sunni ruler.
Saudis and their money bags do the speaking in Syria and Iran.
Naturally, when seventh century highly corrupt bigoted and feudal Sunni Saudis and their monies (oil price manipulated windfalls) liberally thrown all around, naturally people shoot in different directions!!!
Read the writing on wall: with the US, oil companies and their lobbyists help, without them and despite them Sunni Saudi, Arab League rulers are going to fall like nine-pins.
They with their seventh century desert robes will be around in the US as during 1991.
1991 and 2003 Iraqi wars invented hatred for Amerikans, West, Christians and more.
After the fall of the Saudi rulers, the hatred will be more and more will be hating!
Ah, good old Muqtada al-Sadr the Iranian tool. It's a great pity that his name hasn't figured prominently in the Baghdad obituaries.
And Formula 1 is still planning on having a Grand Prix there this year! Is Bernie Ecclestone a complete idiot of what?
The Mid East needs to handle their own wars and their own problems. The US does not need to enter into anymore "civil unrests" (the politically correct phrase for wars) for any other country. Who will come to the US' aid when it happens here??? My guess is no one.
Even though the price of oil directly relates to what happens in the Middle East? We should still stay completely out of it?
Ohh im sure there will be a few countries eager to help us, take care of the unruly citizens. Unlike the US though they wont be leaving when its over..
I agree we need to stay out of others business.
Saudis, oil companies and their lobbyists manipulated 1991 and 2003 Iraqi wars. US and allies danced as they directed.
1. Oil prices which were hardly $30 a barrel before 1991 shot up to $140 a barrel.
2. Since 2003, future traders, rating agencies, Wall Street and oil companies and their lobbyists transferred, five trillion dollars from oil importing countries to oil exporting nations.
3. These manipulated high oil prices resulted in US and European nations’ high unemployment, cut in welfare measures, housing market collapse and more. US spent since 2001 on Iraq and Afghan wars three trillion dollars.
4. Poor soldiers who lost their lives and injured and their families. In Iraq and Afghan wars 6300 soldiers killed and 40000 injured.
By any chance, did Saudis and their monies bail out the US and those on the streets?
Similar Saudi directed scare and war mongering are being done in Iran and Syria.
Most of us can't take anymore these Saudi directed dramas!
Leave the Islamic mad bigots alone to fight their battles.
FREEDOM! It's the way it should be. People everywhere just want to be free..........
That includes the poor, women and minorities in our country. Hey, what's happening to the freedoms of those groups in our country? They can't vote, denied access to health care and to make health care decisions for themselves are targeted by law enforcements, can't practice certain religions, etc. What is happening to freedom in our country?
I'm excited to see how this unfolds as the US has naval bases their and even when the Saudis sent TROOPS! Iran has not even done that in Syria the US looked the other way - oh but not now--- let's talk about reform and a stepping down process (a la Assad plan by the Arab League) followed by democratic election - let's see the hypocrites in the arab league and the americans react - remember yemen? leader kind of steps down (still there ahem ahem) and the regime is still intact. This is not about Syria - the Russians and the Chinese know this and Putin knows the game well and will play it well- he is no fool - Assad will stay or if he must go - then Yemen and Bahrain's leadership must go and if the Saudis care so much about democracy abroad it should be brought to them by force if need be - this is the same regime that sent its terrorist to NYC, where I am a native, to kill thousands of New Yorkers. This is the same regime and STILL sends money exporting its extremist madrasas all over the world- disgusting how we coddle them- this too must stop. The future of oil is waning and its all in the middle east - its a grand chest board for the major powers = Putin is ideal to carry this out- especially as the largest oil producer - as he shakes it up their Russia becomes richer - thereby allowing it to confront the US even more in the region especially as its ally China is the US's largest creditor and it too is concern about the region.
You can bet that these will happen despite McCains, Bushes, Sr and Jr, Saudis, oil companies and their cheap puppets!
Every thing, especially nonsenses, have a shelf life!!
The international community,whatever that might mean,is not interested in the human rights of the Shia population of Bahrain at the moment.It is too busy liberating the Sunni population from the clutches of the evil Syrian non-Sunni dictator.That this is going on so blatantly is evidence that this is really an insane world.
Does anyone find it ironic that they are protesting for democracy and at the same time in the US we hold our freedom so cheap that we allow Congress to pass a law making it a felony to protest here.
http://news.infoshop.org/article.php?story=20120309065244685
And here in America, our local and national governments pass hundreds of laws every year, all designed to strip us of our rights and liberties.
We all just stand around as it happens.
Because we Americans think protesting is for losers and hippie scum OWS people.
Larry, I agree with Alan in the respect that if anyone steps up to speak against whatever they perceive the problem to be, they are called un-American, told to get a job, go back to their parents' basement. Everyone talks about the enjoyment of our freedoms - freedom of speech, freedom of religion, right to bear arms, etc. - but the reality is, we only enjoy it if we agree. We want OUR freedoms, we just don't want "those people" to have them. While not a big OWS supporter, I did find the insults to those who did what they believed was right more than a little annoying, and perhaps a little bit frightening.
Here's another opportunity to get burnt--if we try to help, we'll be more hated than ever. Hate is the only constant in that region, as far as those folks are concerned. They hate everything, but mostly they hate us. STAY OUT.
Sheikh Isa Qassim doesn't really have democratic reform in mind...but let's go with that.
When I don't see women participating in a protest I have my doubts about it being pro-democracy ...
It could be pro-democratic, but only for men. That is the Arab and typical evangelical Muslim idea of democracy in most Arab countries. Women are second class citizens, kind of like in some evangelical sects of the Protestant religions. Ever meet a Mormon woman? They take a back seat to their husband, just ask one. Their role in a marriage is to make children and obey. Their existence is better than most Arab women's, but they are still lower on the food chain than most women in America.
Read history! How was it in America before suffrage Anna?
I happen to be Mormon and I take serious offence to your slandering. My wife and my mother and her mother are all stay at home moms, but very effectively rule the roosts. They all have college degrees, and two are seeking masters degrees. They are smart, informed, and involved. This goes for most Mormon women that I know. I think you need to check your prejudice before you spout your own brand of mis-informed hate.
And by the way, the fist states to practice Women's suffrage were Wyoming (high mormon population) and Utah. Please get informed a little.
Ron Paul!
PeoriaGuy, just take a look at pictures from the protests in Iran, you will see the difference, you will see how women are very involved in the protests over there, even if it is a muslim country right now.
This is for the Greens: V!
Why do you keep calling these demonstrations "pro-democracy" ?!? There is not one single group of any significance in the entire Muslim world that's genuinely pro-democracy (find one and interview a few of its members to see if they're really pro-democracy, for freedom of the press/speech by non-Muslims, against killing all Jews, et al): You should stop contributing to the confusion and call these demonstrations what they really are: "Demonstrations pro replacing the monsters in power with other monsters, probably even more monstrous still." Do that & perhaps then you'll start reporting the unbiased truth, instead of just "agitating for civil unrest in order to sell news" which is what you're doing now--You're not fooling anybody but the fools.
S D Rodrian
Democracy under Sharia Law? isn't that a Contradiction of terms?
Let me know?
Let's see democracy in Libya, democracy in Egypt, etc, etc............. Not going to happen! This is another Trojan horse set up by the Islamist extremists. Get a revolution going under the guise of democracy, let the other poor devils fight and die for it then step in and take over the country in all the confusion. Where in the middle East do they have a democracy?
Well lets see, umm Turkey, Israel, maybe even Egypt and Iraq a little bit?
Anytime an Islamic clergyman "urges democracy," look out!!!!! Can you say, "Iran?" OMG!
They want democracy? I dont think any of those sand for brains imbiciles know what that means? Every time they protest for democracy, its actually something else they want! This could be a ploy of some sort? I do believe i will withold judgement untill after the protests? Then it may be alittle clearer as to what their true intention is. Iranians wanting democracy, and Iraqi's protesting right along with them? HMMMM?
The Us isn't going to step in on this one, we dont want any change in Bahrain, why do you think the Saudis and Emirates sent troops in. We're supporting the dicktator here.And don't fool yourself, those people want their freedom just like you and me.
Tens of thousands demand democracy
Wow I hope they have better Luck with that than we did....Only the Kings will Change!
It is one sect of Islams against another sect, from Egypt and Libya to Syria and Bahrain, and they use the democratic reason for the change of the regime. Can they discuss their differences for they are all Islams?
Toasty, you are dreaming again. You don't keep up on the news, do you? The Iran nuts want to control not just iran, but the entire middle east.
I think you read a different article, Rod...
Shiite clerics want "democracy"? My @$$. They're using that to sucker in the U.S. to help and once they over throw the dictator, the islamokooks will take over. I say let them ALL rot in their own religion and politics and take care of it themselves.
The Mullahs are already sharpening their swords. When they are convicted their heads come off within the hour. If you have never been to Saudi Arabia their justice is swift and they do not waste money on bullets.
Democracy under Sharia Law, is only democracy for the select Islamic men. Freedom for everyone else is non- existent. Let me know if I'm right?
Your wrong ,
Bahrain again. I wonder if we will stand aside again and let the Saudis visciously suppress these people as they did a year ago, while pontificating about democracy in other areas we do not like? Anyway, suspect this is going to migrate into Saudi itself - and shake their world which would be good.
Here we go again. Democracy is just an excuse for these people. What they really want is Sharia Law. Seem's the Taliban are everywhere.