Thousands of peaceful protesters marched through Manama's streets in the largest attempt in months to retake Pearl Square, the central roundabout that served as the epicenter of weeks of protests last year by Bahrain's Shi'ite majority against the ruling dynasty.
Thousands of riot police and other security forces have staked out positions around the square and also across the Gulf island nation to prevent the anti-discrimination people from staging a mass rally in or near the plaza to mark Tuesday's one-year anniversary of the revolt.
Anti-regime protesters were undeterred by the authorities' warnings of zero tolerance for anti-government activities in the strategic island that is the home of the US Navy's 5th Fleet.
More than 50 police vehicles filled a site that protesters have dubbed "Freedom Square", which hosted several government-sanctioned opposition gatherings last week.
After the government imposed martial law last March in response to the demonstrations, security forces stormed the protesters' encampment at the landmark square in a bid to crush the uprising. The authorities then razed the towering white monument that stood in the center of the plaza.
Thousands of riot police and other security forces have staked out positions around the square and also across the Gulf island nation to prevent the anti-discrimination people from staging a mass rally in or near the plaza to mark Tuesday's one-year anniversary of the revolt.
Anti-regime protesters were undeterred by the authorities' warnings of zero tolerance for anti-government activities in the strategic island that is the home of the US Navy's 5th Fleet.
More than 50 police vehicles filled a site that protesters have dubbed "Freedom Square", which hosted several government-sanctioned opposition gatherings last week.
After the government imposed martial law last March in response to the demonstrations, security forces stormed the protesters' encampment at the landmark square in a bid to crush the uprising. The authorities then razed the towering white monument that stood in the center of the plaza.