Shia Cleric Nemr al-Nemr: “Don’t be Afraid of Saudi Military / Fight for Your Dignity”

“Our dignity is worth more than our blood and we do not afraid of death. They may have thousands of tanks, troops, helicopters… it is not important. We should fight for our dignity,” he said on Saturday.

The city of Qatif in the Eastern Province has been the scene of anti-government protests over the past months with demonstrators demanding the release of thousands of political prisoners as well as freedom and equality.

There are more than 30,000 political prisoners, mostly prisoner of conscience, in jails across the country, according to Saudi activists.

Activists say most of the detained political activists are being held by the government without trial or charges.

In March, the Saudi Interior Ministry called all public gatherings “illegal,” authorizing regime forces “to take all measures needed” against the people who defied the ban.

On 23 December, hundreds of people in Qatif , Tarout and al-Awamiyah taking part in the “March of Loyalty to Martyrs”, honoring Sh’a youths killed by security forces last month in  Qatif and al-Awamiyah .

In al-Awamiyah, the march started from Kerbala Square at 4 p.m. The protesters chanted slogans in support of Bahraini people and condemning abuse and violent repression against protesters in Tahrir Square in Cairo by Egypt’s ruling military council.

In Qatif, tens of women protested against the Saudi regime and its violent repression against Saudi women.

A presence of security forces at Qatif demonstration, and police fired live bullets over the heads of protesters to panic them and damage was being caused to cars and buildings .