Protests, clashes, death cast pall over Bahrain Grand Prix
Source: Reuters
Protests, clashes, death cast pall over Bahrain Grand Prix
By Alan Baldwin
MANAMA | Sat Apr 21, 2012 1:34pm EDT
(Reuters) - Crowds of masked protesters hurled petrol bombs at police who fired tear gas back in Bahrain on Saturday, turning the streets into a battle zone on the eve of a Formula One Grand Prix that demonstrators say glorifies a repressive government.
Protesters were driven by outrage over the death of one of their number, whose body was found sprawled on a village rooftop after overnight clashes with police.
Around 7,000 marchers held banners calling for democratic reforms. Some banners depicted Formula One race car drivers as riot police beating up protesters.
Bahrain's government has spent $40 million to host the global luxury sporting event, hoping to demonstrate that normal life has returned to the Gulf island kingdom after it cracked down harshly on Arab Spring demonstrations last year.
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http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/21/us-bahrain-grandprix-idUSBRE83J07R20120421