Bahrain: Snapshots from a Day of Protest and Injury · Global Voices
Solana Larsen

This post is part of our special coverage of Bahrain Protests 2011.
@Awadhi4: Today morning in Nuwaidrat. #Feb14 #Bahrain http://yfrog.com/h25rhwkj
Bahrain was rocked by violence today as the latest country to stage protests in the so-called Arab revolution time-table inspired by uprisings in Tunisa and Egypt. Police quashed demonstrations in various cities today, and both videos and photos of the crackdown are dodging internet censors, and making their way around the web.
At least one person has died.
News began to circulate about a February 14 uprising at the beginning of the month. Only days ago King Hamad, Bahrain's monarch, announced that the government would be giving each family in Bahrain a gift of BD1,000 (US$2,650) to mark the 10th anniversary of the country's return to constitutional rule.
Bahrain is an oil-rich country with approximately 1.2 million inhabitants, located near the western shores of the Persian Gulf. The country has a poor human rights record and very uneven distribution of wealth. Adding to the trouble is strong sectarian tension between Shiites (majority) and Sunnis (minority, power-holders). The bigotry is often visible on Twitter, as are also online efforts to quell disagreement. Although Bahrain is small, it is strategically important to the United States as the home to the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet and a close neighbor to Saudia Arabia and Iran.
Snapshots from a day of turmoil
Throughout the day, there were messages and photos on Twitter showing the demonstrators’ perspective of events (See hashtag #14Feb). Several people posted updates about major roads and intersections being closed. Najeel Rajab has posted photos on Facebook showing multiple injuries sustained today.
@ramyraoof: protesters chanting “we are not rioting, we are demanding our rights” http://yfrog.com/h3ke6tj – http://yfrog.com/h7e06klj #Feb14 #Bahrain
@maryamalkhawaja: Man hit with sound bomb #feb14 #bahrain http://yfrog.com/gy43bigj
@ba7ari: Tear gas shots in Sanabis village #Bahrain #Feb14 #HRW http://twitpic.com/3zq9eh
@ammar456: Things are getting crazy in Sanabis tear gas being thrown people running around #Feb14 #Bahrain http://twitpic.com/3zq0qi
@bahraini14feb: Pic from a protest today in Bahrain. See the bahraini flag!! http://twitpic.com/3zpwqr #bahrain #feb14
@Awadhi4: Today morning in Nuwaidrat. #Feb14 #Bahrain http://yfrog.com/gyoqfvgj
@Awadhi4: The only person injured. Today morning in Nuwaidrat. #Feb14 #Bahrain http://yfrog.com/h41f7ffj
@Awadhi4: Today morning in Nuwaidrat. #Feb14 #Bahrain http://yfrog.com/hs6buajj
Official response
Bahrain's Ministry of the Interior created a Twitter account today where they are sharing their own version of what happened in Arabic and in English.
@moi_bahrain: What happened in Nuwaidrat today resulted in one person being injured. He is in hospital & is stable. He had suffered bruises in the face.
moi_bahrain: Interior Minister met the father of the man injured in Karzakan. He directed that the injured be treated abroad & has ordered an inquiry.
moi_bahrain: Illegal rally in Karzakan 3 policemen attacked, Police had to fire 2 rubber buttons. 1st as warning shot 2nd bounced & hit a demonstrator
This post is part of our special coverage of Bahrain Protests 2011.