The original content of Democracy Now! Headlines appears under the Creative
Commons BY-NC-ND 3.0 License (United States). For more, including their other
shows and media, visit www.democracynow.org.
February 15, 2012

Bahraini Forces Target Anniversary Protests, Detain U.S. Human Rights Monitors 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------



The U.S.-backed monarchy in Bahrain imposed a heavy security presence in
the capital city of Manama to deter protesters marking the first
anniversary of the start of pro-democracy protests. Armored vehicles
patrolled Manama as state forces fired tear gas at a group of activists
gathered at the Pearl Roundabout, the focal point of opposition
demonstrations. A number of people were arrested, including six U.S.
citizens with the group Witness Bahrain who have come to monitor the
crackdown. All six will be deported. Their expulsions follow the
deportations of another two U.S. activists from Bahrain earlier this
week.



.