Saudi Arabia Braces for ‘Day of Rage’ Rally
VoA News: Authorities in Saudi Arabia are bracing for an anti-government “Day of Rage” rally Friday, organized by activists using the Internet.
Security is tight in the capital, Riyadh, where police have boosted their presence.
The demonstrators are expected to call for greater political freedoms in the conservative kingdom.
The rally is taking place despite a Saudi ban on protests enacted after several small groups of demonstrators gathered to demand change. It comes a day after Saudi police reportedly opened fire in Eastern Province to disperse a crowd of several hundred Shi'ite activists demanding the release of prisoners.
Witnesses say up to four people were wounded in the shooting.
The United States said it was closely monitoring the situation and reiterated its support for the right to peaceful assembly.
In February, Saudi King Abdullah announced a number of reforms, in an apparent effort to appease citizens in the wake of anti-government protests elsewhere in the Middle East.
The incentives included pay raises, increased spending on social programs and interest-free loans.
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