(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - “Lebanon with all its sects stands with you in Bahrain,” said Abd al-Naser Jabri, the secretary-general of the Nation movement and one of several speakers who addressed the crowd Wednesday afternoon.
“All of us want reform and change in Bahrain, instead of making [the country] a dark room for the Americans,” he said.
Addressing the Bahrainis, he said “there should not be differences between Sunnites and Shiites, no difference between black and white, you should all be united.”
Bahraini protestors took the streets last month, inspired by the wave of revolts that has been sweeping over the Middle East and which led to the toppling of the Tunisian and Egyptian leaders. Most of those protesting in Bahrain are Shiites, who make up 80 percent of the country’s population and complain of discrimination at the hands of the Sunni royal family.
The protesters waved Lebanese and Bahraini flags as well as those of the Hezbollah and Amal movements, and held signs reading: “No to the oppressors,” and “Victory for the suffering people of Bahrain.”
“We’re here to support our people in Bahrain,” said Mohammad, an 18-year-old student who preferred not to give his last name. “We wish we were there fighting the enemies in Bahrain who kill people in the streets.”
“Shiites don’t have rights in Bahrain,” said a 22-year-old who refused to give his name.
“We’re here to support the revolution in the region, we are against monarchies and [call for] democracy,” he added.
A woman who also preferred to remain anonymous, said she joined the protest to “support the people in Bahrain and [condemn] the massacre taking place over there.”
Ali Hamieh, 24, said he came “for free” to support the Bahrainis, in reference to rumors that some of the supporters who attended the March 14 rally last Sunday were paid to participate.
Zeinab Awde, a 19-year-old student who accused Arab leaders of not to condemning the repression in Bahrain, said she was “with the people of Bahrain and against the oppressive system.”
“We support humanity; it doesn’t matter if people are Shiites, Christians, or anything else,” added her friend Walaa Chreif, also 19.
“Bahrain should take the example of the Lebanese resistance and the 2006 victory [against Israel],” she said.
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