Freedom clashes raise Syrian death toll to 75

[Turborama]

Source: The Scotsman

Published Date: 02 April 2011
By ELIZABETH KENNEDY

Thousands of Syrians shouting "We want freedom!" took to streets round the country yesterday, defying security forces who tried to clear them with gunfire, tear gas, and baton charges. At least three people were killed, bringing the toll from two weeks of protests to at least 75.

The wave of demonstrations has proved the most serious challenge yet to a four-decade ruling dynasty by the Assad family - one of the most authoritarian regimes in the Middle East.

Activists had declared yesterday Martyrs' Day and called for mass demonstrations to honour those killed since protests began in mid-March.

An activist in Douma, just outside capital Damascus, said he and hundreds of others came under attack by security forces as they left the Grand Mosque, chanting slogans for freedom. He said the troops battered people with clubs and threw stones before firing tear gas and finally live ammunition.

Read more: http://www.scotsman.com/news/Freedom-clashes-raise-Syrian-death.6744581.jp

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Syrian security forces crack down on 'Friday of Martyrs'

Katherine Marsh in Damascus | The Guardian

=snip=

The southern city of Deraa was again at the vanguard of a nascent reform movement, which continues to be rallied through social media and by activists who have been galvanised by the revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt.

Security forces were seizing mobile phones, which had been used to film clashes, to decrease the risk of further incriminating images being transferred on the internet.

The new security crackdown had been widely expected by demonstrators in the wake of Assad's speech, which was seen as a clear message that continued dissent would not be tolerated.

=snip=

A witness in the Damascus area of Barzeh reported security forces breaking up a gathering there. "Worshippers shouted 'Freedom, freedom, freedom' until more than 500 security forces broke them up," he told the Guardian.

Full article: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/apr/01/syria-security-forces-crackdown

[indimuse]

1. Have you seen this?

Syria's President Offers Future Reforms, Blames Conspiracy for Protests (Real News video)

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/indimuse/50

[Turborama]

2. Yes. I saw it live. He's full of shit.

Have you seen this? http://journals.democraticunderground.com/Turborama/601

[David__77]

3. Does anyone have a link to a translation of demands associated with protests?

I am curious. I do not see Syria as too similar to Libya in many respects. But I was struck when watching the Bashar speech here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8P2kx-TvbU at 1:30, the people's council members start in with their chanting "God, Syria, Bashar, that's it!" Change the leader and country, and that's the Libyan chant. Baathism and Arab nationalism were always more influenced by Italian fascism than by socialism and communism.