30 000 cops are reported to have flooded onto the streets of Algiers in an attempt to quash a pro-democracy rally planned for today. Trains to the city have been canceled, and activists report that all entrances to the city have seen sealed. Many arrests are reported but protestors have vowed to carry on and the crowd is chanting "Echâab Yourid Isqat Annidham" "The people wants to overthrow the system".
Demonstrators gather in Premier Mai Square
Demonstrators gather in Premier Mai Square
Earlier this month, in an apparent attempt to calm down the situation, Algerian president Abdelaziz Bouteflika vowed that the Algerian State of Emergency, which has been place for 19 years will be lifted shortly. and that marches would be allowed anywhere in the country but NOT in the capital. He also said that Algerian State TV and radio should give airtime to all political parties [1].
Bouteflika has been in power since 1999, and amended the constitution to allow himself a third term. He claims to have won the election for his third term in 2009. However, opposition parties criticized Bouteflika's victory, due to the fact that several parties had boycotted the election.
[1]
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/02/20112315364175524.html
Bouteflika has been in power since 1999, and amended the constitution to allow himself a third term. He claims to have won the election for his third term in 2009. However, opposition parties criticized Bouteflika's victory, due to the fact that several parties had boycotted the election.
[1]
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/02/20112315364175524.html
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