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Massive Protests Planned in Syria

   VOA News  April 22, 2011
   Protesters gather in a square in the southern city of Deraa, April 21,
   2011

Photo: Reuters

   Protesters gather in a square in the southern city of Deraa, April 21,
   2011

   Syrian pro-democracy activists are planning massive protests across the
   country Friday against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, despite his
   recent attempts to meet their demands.
   Security forces have been deployed in several cities, including the
   central city of Homs, which has become the epicenter of the opposition
   movement.
   A Facebook page rallying supporters has dubbed the demonstrations as
   the "Good Friday" protests, in reference to the Christian holy day. An
   image on the website shows Christian and Muslim images and the words
   "one heart, one hand, one goal."
   The demonstrations come a day after Assad signed a decree to end nearly
   50 years of emergency rule. It was the latest in a series of
   conciliatory gestures the leader has made in recent weeks, as he faces
   growing opposition to his administration.
   [1]Amnesty International said Friday's demonstrations could be the
   largest to date, and warned authorities not to respond with violence.
   The group says more than 228 people have been killed in a government
   crackdown on protests since last month.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP and AFP.

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   and discuss them on our [3]Facebook page.

References

   1. http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/syrian-authorities-urged-not-suppress-great-friday-protests-2011-04-21
   2. http://twitter.com/VOAMidEast
   3. http://www.facebook.com/pages/VOAMiddleEastVoices/124360240958667?%20%20%20%20v=wall

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