Bahraini revolutionaries demand Formula One race cancelled

Anti-regime protesters stage a mass demonstration near Manama to demand the cancellation of the Formula One Grand Prix which is slated to start on April 22 in Bahrain, Press TV reports.

Demonstrators took to the streets of Karrana, a village in the Northern Governorate, on Friday as protests intensified two days ahead of the opening of the Formula One Grand Prix in Isa town, near Manama.

Bahrainis and many activists around the world condemn the franchise to hold the race despite the ongoing crackdown against peaceful demonstrators in the Persian Gulf nation.

The outraged Bahraini public believes the event is being used by the Al Khalifa regime to portray a normal picture of the state of affairs on the ground in the sheikdom, which has been witnessing anti-regime rallies since February 2011.

On Thursday, dozens of people were injured in overnight clashes that occurred in several villages between anti-government protesters and government forces ahead of Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix practices.

The clashes continued into the early hours of Friday, while regime forces wounded a number of protesters by firing buckshot and teargas canisters to disperse the crowds.

Demonstrators also burned tires and briefly blocked several main roads leading to the Sakhir circuit in the southwest of Manama — the venue for Friday’s practices for the race.

Bahrain’s main opposition group al-Wefaq has called for a week of daily rallies to protest the upcoming contest.

On Thursday, two members of the Force India Formula One team decided to withdraw from the event after a fire bomb exploded near the team’s van.

Porsche Supercup Squad MRS has also withdrawn from the opening rounds, citing “ongoing unrest” and the “security situation” in the Persian Gulf state.

Last year, Formula One’s governing body cancelled the race in Bahrain over nationwide anti-government protests.

Scores of people have been killed and many others have been injured in the Al Khalifa regime attacks on Bahraini protesters.

MRS/JR/HGH
Anti-regime protesters stage a mass demonstration near Manama to demand the cancellation of the Formula One Grand Prix which is slated to start on April 22 in Bahrain, Press TV reports.

Demonstrators took to the streets of Karrana, a village in the Northern Governorate, on Friday as protests intensified two days ahead of the opening of the Formula One Grand Prix in Isa town, near Manama.

Bahrainis and many activists around the world condemn the franchise to hold the race despite the ongoing crackdown against peaceful demonstrators in the Persian Gulf nation.

The outraged Bahraini public believes the event is being used by the Al Khalifa regime to portray a normal picture of the state of affairs on the ground in the sheikdom, which has been witnessing anti-regime rallies since February 2011.

On Thursday, dozens of people were injured in overnight clashes that occurred in several villages between anti-government protesters and government forces ahead of Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix practices.

The clashes continued into the early hours of Friday, while regime forces wounded a number of protesters by firing buckshot and teargas canisters to disperse the crowds.

Demonstrators also burned tires and briefly blocked several main roads leading to the Sakhir circuit in the southwest of Manama — the venue for Friday’s practices for the race.

Bahrain’s main opposition group al-Wefaq has called for a week of daily rallies to protest the upcoming contest.

On Thursday, two members of the Force India Formula One team decided to withdraw from the event after a fire bomb exploded near the team’s van.

Porsche Supercup Squad MRS has also withdrawn from the opening rounds, citing “ongoing unrest” and the “security situation” in the Persian Gulf state.

Last year, Formula One’s governing body cancelled the race in Bahrain over nationwide anti-government protests.

Scores of people have been killed and many others have been injured in the Al Khalifa regime attacks on Bahraini protesters.