You are in the 197th Witness Revolution diary, bearing witness to pro-democracy movements in North Africa, the Middle East and beyond. We aim here to simply report, from as many reliable worldwide resources as possible, on the successes, challenges or failures of the brave people striving against oppression for representative democracy with civil and human rights. One small bit of assurance that they do not strive in obscurity.
TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS
BAHRAIN
Though emergency law was lifted this week, police still use violence to stop demonstrators, even at a funeral procession. And a third man, who had been detained, has been found dead.
Man kidnapped by Bahraini Police is found dead with gunshot wounds
The Army prevented medical staff from attending the wounded Salman Abu Adrees. Government officials state 'natural cause' as reason of his death, but signs of torture and gunshot wound are clearly visible on his body.
Not without a sense of humor, Bahraini rebels torment the security police:
miniature models of the demolished Pearl Roundabout monument, erected by Bahraini protesters and activists are relentlessly destroyed by the security forces.
YEMEN
There were reports today that President Saleh, along with the Prime Minister and Parliamentary Speaker, was wounded when the mosque in the Presidential compound was shelled. Things are confusing in Yemen, as the unrest of protests have opened the door for tribal opposition to fight with Saleh. The protesters see the armed tribal militias as protecting them (you'll have to get your browser to translate), but it is unclear whether the tribal leaders really seek the same outcomes as the protesters.
What I find so impressively courageous about the Yemeni protesters is that they face this:
VERY GRAPHIC: May 29th - Taiz Massacre
The video was removed by youtube due to violation of content- Someone managed to print screen photos before it was removed to show the world the horrific massacre that took place when Saleh's forces burnt down tents while people were still in them.
WARNING: Trust me, this is the least graphic of the images. The final terror of the other two shown is very clear.
Still, they do this:June 3rd- Loyalty to Taiz Friday!
This was in Sa'ada. There were solidarity demonstration throughout the country. And the numbers weren't small.....
June 3rd- Loyalty to Taiz Friday!
scroll through the photos and in every town, it is like this. People fill the streets beyond the horizon.
SYRIA
With 73 children killed and counting, the latest addition to the demonstrations are children's marches. Here's a message from Syrian children to the world:
All your armies, all your fighters, all your tanks, all your thugs, against a boy, standing there, all alone. In his eyes, I see the sun. In his smile, I see the moon. And I wonder, I only wonder, who is weak, who is strong. Who is right and who is wrong. And I wish, I only wish, that the the truth has a tongue. And I wish, I only wish, that the the truth has a tongue. And I wish, I only wish, that the the truth has a tongue.(my transcription, so blame me for errors. - UnaSpenser.)
Media such as tweets, blog posts, facebook, pictures and videos have played a huge role in keeping the revolutionary fires burning. Music and chanted prayers, too. Here is a hauntingly beautiful prayer for the rebels of Syria's Revolution:
LIBYA
Optimism from Libya:
June 4th Updates
03:15 LibyaFTW tweets: “Tripoli is alive tonight shooting can be heard everywhere without interuption these are Gaddafi last days.”
Live call from Nafusa Mountains, June 3
(my transcription, so I take responsibility for errors - Unaspenser):
"but, on the 31st of May, the freedom fighters of the Nafusa Mountains defeated the forces, the Gaddafi forces, on the foot of the mountain, and liberated the town of Shakshuk and the town of Qasr al Hajj. And on the 1st, the freedom fighters, the Nafusa Mountain freedom fighters in Qalaa and Yafran, they liberated Yefren and Qalaa and also (?? couldn't catch that name)"....
More news listed country by country below the fold...
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