Pearl Roundabout Raid

"We were sitting there.. peacefully sitting in the square, most of us sleeping.. suddenly the police came surrounding us from everywhere, thousands, shooting us with tear gas, and rubber guns" 
from Al Jazeera Live-Blog Bahrain, via Twitter

This morning around 3 am, riot police raided the Pearl Roundabout where protesters lay sleeping after a day of rallying for governmental reforms. They attacked the area with tear gas, rubber-coated steel bullets, and beat people with batons. As of now, reports say that about six have died, but the injured aren't being treated. I hear rumors that the Minister of Health may have resigned in light of his denying ambulances and treatment to those who need it. Protests continue at Salmaniya Hospital.

Listening to Speeches the Night Before the Raid, 7pm 2/16

Tanks and police have cleared the Pearl Roundabout where thousands gathered in the past two days. Helicopters have been circling overhead for the past few days, but I hear more of them today.

Women Holding Signs, 8pm 2/16

Last night I donned an abaya and ventured over to the protests to talk to people and see it for myself. At that point, the police had been nowhere around for over a day, so the protest was more like a rally. There was a loud-speaker where different leaders would give brief speeches and people would chant and cheer. The crowd was filled with banners, flags, posters, and fliers. People handed out water, tea, and food; many protesters set up tent camps and had blankets sprawled out to gather on.

I feel a mix of sadness and anger for what has happened. Please pray for these people, that the Jesus will reveal Himself to them in light of what is happening, and that the Lord will show my team and I what we are supposed to do.


For news reports with more information:
a Timeline of Updates
NYTimes slideshow
report from this morning