Bahrain: Funeral Procession Marks Third Day of Protests · Global Voices
Yacoub Al-Slaise

This post is part of our special coverage of Bahrain Protests 2011.
Wednesday February 16, 2011 is the third day of Bahrain's ‘Day of Wrath‘ protests; it has kicked off with the funeral of Fadhel Al-Matrook, who died after mourners faced excessive force from riot police during Tuesday's procession for the first fallen protester Ali Mushaima.
Like on Tuesday, hundreds of protesters headed towards Salmaniya Hospital to collect the dead man's body and begin the procession to Sheikh Maytham cemetery in Mahooz in Bahraini capital Manama. Unlike yesterday however, the procession was allowed to move smoothly without police interference.
@emoodz Angry crowds earlier today at Salmaniya at the beginning of the burial procession http://bit.ly/eObdAo #bahrain #feb14
Protesters at Salmaniya Hospital. Photo by Twitter user @emoodz.
@Jolly1412 تدفق المواطنين على موكب الشتييع #feb14 #bahrain #lulu # http://twitpic.com/40bzs0
Banner reads: "The blood of the martyr falls in the Hand of Allah, and when it does, it grows". Image posted by Twitter user @Jolly1412.
Many women also joined the procession walking behind the main procession.
@khokhz Procession of the second victim Fadhel Matrook @ Mahooz #Bahrain #Feb14 http://yfrog.com/h6pcrrvj
Bahraini women mourning and following the procession. Photo by Twitter user @khokhz.
Mourners have praised the peacefulness of the procession and lack of riot police presence, a great improvement from events the day before.
@RedhaHaji There r no traffic police in site either yet the proceedings r organized. #bahrain #feb14 #lulu volunteers directing traffic. Managing ppl
@RedhaHaji I personally want to thank the government for keeping riot police away.They understand now this is a peaceful mourning #bahrain #feb14 #lulu
The lack of police on the streets did not mean they were not on Twitter; the Bahraini Ministry of Interior sent out alerts of areas to avoid because of traffic jams in the areas and streets the procession was in.
@moi_bahrain Stay away from Salmaniya,Oman,Kuwait & Adliya Roads that lead to Maitham Al Bahrani Cemetery in Mahooz to avoid traffic jams.
Foreign media outlets have also taken advantage of the peacefulness of the procession to conduct interviews with mourners.
@Moaweya foreign media covering the funeral in #bahrain http://yfrog.com/h6odj7j
Foreign media interview a funeral mourner. Image by Twitter user @Moaweya.
The funeral processions continue at the time of writing.
Meanwhile at Pearl/Lulu Roundabout in Manama, the focal point of Bahrain's protests, people have stayed behind and continue to protest peacefully.
@adelmarzooq تشييع الشهيد فاضل المتروك والمتظاهرون باقون في دوار الحرية … وتقديم وجبات للإفطار للمتظاهرين #feb14 #bahrain
Some of the protesters at Lulu Roundabout have vowed to stay there, skipping work until their demands are met.
Right banner reads:"Skipping work until the regime falls". Left banner reads: "No Sunna No Shia, all our demands are legitimate. My people want democracy, a constitution and freedom (signed by Youth of Muharraq)". Images from 14th February Revolution Facebook Page.
For most in Bahrain, Wednesday 16 February, 2011 is a work day; yesterday was a national holiday for the occasion of the Prophet Mohammed's Birthday (PBUH). People who were worried about access to the capital Manama, were able to go to work, even checking in on Foursquare at their workplaces near Lulu Roundabout.
@nadooi_wish Went to #LuluRoundabout .. traffic went smooth. The protesters smiles and help with the traffic flow. #Bahrain #Feb14
@Ali_Fareed I'm at Bahrain World Trade Center (King Faisal Hwy, Manama) http://4sq.com/hIYMBX [Within sight of Lulu Roundabout]
This post is part of our special coverage of Bahrain Protests 2011.