Yemen's Second Life March Attacked

Although Yemen's revolution removed the autocratic President Ali Abdullah Saleh and hoped it also got rid of his brutality in handling peaceful protesters, the Second Life March was also forcibly dispersed by President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi's anti-riot forces using tear gas and batons resulting in reported and documented injuries of some protesters.

Protesters who took part in the march, staged a sit-in in front of the presidential palace, demanding President Abdu Rabbo Mansour Hadi to issue a presidential decree and clearly dismiss Ahmed Saleh, son of the former President, and General Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, former commander of the First Armored Division, in addition to Major General Ghalib Al-Qamish, head of the Central Political Security.

A video of the attack was posted via Youtube by Youthstand47:

Benjamin Wiacek tweeted with disappointment:

@Nefermaat: Peaceful #Youth protesters attacked in #Sanaa: tear gas, beating up, shots, cars, etc… “new” govt, “new” security, same results! #Yemen :(

Baraa Shabaan, one of the youth who joined the Life March in Sanaa tweeted, a series of tweets explaining what happened to the youth protesting at the presidential palace.

‏@BaraaShiban: 1. Since 4 pm, no food or water was allowed in, with a heavy presence of riot police … #Yemen

@BaraaShiban: 2. At 6pm, riot police started attacking the youth who came to support the protesters … #Yemen

@BaraaShiban: 3. 8 ppl were injured due to the heavy beating & the others were affected by the tear gas … #Yemen

‏@BaraaShiban: 4. The riot police started attacking the protesters at the presidential palace at 7:30 pm … #Yemen

@BaraaShiban: 5. Most of the youth got heavily injured due to the severe beating, & 7 fainted due to the tear gas … #Yemen

@BaraaShiban 8. (actually .6) Fahmi, one of the youth protesting at the presidential palace got ran over by the riot police car & got blocked out immediately.. #Yemen

‏@BaraaShiban: 7. We lost contact with the protesters & we realized that some if them were detained & released an hour later … #Yemen

‏@BaraaShiban: 8. Fahmi, got transferred to Aljomhoori hospital & still in a dangerous condition… #Yemen

‏@BaraaShiban: 9. The youth started gathering in front of Hadi's home with a heavy presence of soldiers … #Yemen

The youth called for a Press conference to clearly explain what happened that evening. The conference was held at the Yemeni journalists syndicate and was attended by activists, journalists and news channels.
The Media Center for Change Square posted a photo album on their Facebook page of the Press conference.

Press conference at the Yemen journalists syndicate to reveal the details of the attack on the youth in the Second Life March

A video of the statement that was read in the Press conference was posted on YouTube by mohmmed alyemeni

Sarah Jamal, who attended the Press conference, tweeted:

@Sarah_Sanaa: Life March protesters: we will not stop until president Hadi issues a clear decree 2 sack Ahmed Ali, Ali Mohsen, Al qamish fm army #Yemen

@Sarah_Sanaa:Life march protesters: The organizational committee does not represent us or the revolution, it only represents JMP #Yemen

@Sarah_Sanaa: 2nd. Life March demands a fair immediate investigation in what the protesters faced at the presidency #Yemen

Baraa Shiban tweeted in dismay:

@BaraaShiban: I think the Interior Ministry haven’ t realized yet …. the date is 12/2012 not 2010 … #Yemen

Sadly, the same scene is repeating itself in Yemen – the repressive security forces are once again clamping down on the peacefully protesting youth, who are steadfast and committed to achieving the goals of the revolution.

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