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Bahrain: Withdrawal of Police as Protesters Reclaim Lulu Roundabout

Categories: Middle East & North Africa, Bahrain, Breaking News, Digital Activism, Freedom of Speech, Human Rights, Politics, Protest

This post is part of our special coverage of Bahrain Protests 2011 [1].

After the withdrawal [2] of army vehicles from Lulu Roundabout on Saturday, riot polices had been reinstated to the roundabout and have fired tear gas in attempts to disperse protesters who received the news of the army withdrawal.

@Bentalwadi [3] Ppl r heading the surrounding area of lulu celebrating evacuation army, holding bahrain flags and waving victory into the anti riots police

Some protesters marched towards Lulu Roundabout with flowers in hand to show their intention for peaceful protests to the riot police near Lulu Roundabout

@JTheIslander [4] Flowers held up high in front of police. http://plixi.com/p/78571225 [5] http://plixi.com/p/78571231 [5]

Protesters raising flowers to riot police near Dana Mall, a few hundred metres from Lulu roundabout [5]

Protesters raising flowers to riot police near Dana Mall, a few hundred metres from Lulu roundabout

As protesters were marching towards Lulu roundabout, Bahrain's Crown Prince appeared [6] on national TV for the second time in as many days, giving a short address to the Bahraini people reiterating his appeal for calm and dialogue and calling for a day of mourning.

@SultanAlQassemi [7] Bahrain Crown Prince now on TV addressing nation. (Not using Teleprompter, speaking in local Bahraini dialect) http://yfrog.com/h29pmzrj [8]

Crown Prince Sh. Salman bin Isa Al-Khalifa on National TV on Saturday [8]

Crown Prince Sh. Salman bin Isa Al-Khalifa on National TV on Saturday

@Salmaaaaaaaaaan [9] #Bahrain Crown Prince: we are starting a new phase to discuss all problems in honesty and responsibility

@alialsaeed [10] CP thanks all who called and responded for calmness & protect unity of the nation. calls on new beginning for #Bahrain

@alialsaeed [11] CP stresses to citizens to all cooperate with the authorities and all political parties & allow time to mourn

Bahrain's Twittersphere reacted positively to the simplicity and relaxed approach of Shaikh Salman's brief speech.

@baderkamal [12] Crown Prince's short speech is a simple yet a leading example of comforting words and inspiration of the highest caliber.

@Redbelt [13] عجبني في خطاب ولي العهد إنه نادى الشعب بإخواني وأخواتي، وما ناداهم أبنائي. ولي العهد يساوي نفسه بالمواطنين. #feb14 #bahrain

“What impressed me about the Crown Prince's speech is that he called his people ‘my brothers and sisters’, and not my children. He is standing shoulder to shoulder with his citizens”

Shortly after the speech, protesters tweeted that the police started withdrawing from Lulu Roundabout and joyous protesters flooded the roundabout to continue their peaceful protests.

@bahrain [14] #bahrain police retreat allow hundreds into square

@JTheIslander [15] Police cars moved clearing the road from Dana mall to pearl roundabout. http://plixi.com/p/78577641 [16]

Protesters heading towards Lulu Roundabout [16]

Protesters heading towards Lulu Roundabout

@salehnass [17] Atmosphere seems joyful. Ppl heading to #lulu

Aerial view of protesting marching from Dana Mall towards Lulu Roundabout (courtesy of @lailaalbeiti) [18]

Aerial view of protesting marching from Dana Mall towards Lulu Roundabout (courtesy of @lailaalbeiti)

@mahmood [19] Historic moment for #bahrain #feb14 pearl occupied again. http://yfrog.com/h763kpzj [20]

Protesters reclaiming Lulu Roundabout [20]

Protesters reclaiming Lulu Roundabout

@adelmarzooq [21] دوار اللؤلؤة ملك للشعب

“Lulu Roundabout is owned by the people”
blogger @RedhaHaji reaching Lulu Roundabout [22]

blogger @RedhaHaji reaching Lulu Roundabout

This post is part of our special coverage of Bahrain Protests 2011 [1].