Bahraini forces attack, arrest protesters

Demonstrators took to the streets in the northern village of Tubli, about 10 kilometers (6 miles) southwest of the capital Manama, and in the Abu Saiba village, about 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) west of Manama, on Sunday. Bahraini activists said regime forces arrested several protesters in Tubli and Abu Saiba. Bahrainis have intensified a campaign against the Formula One race to demand cancelation of the Bahrain round of the world automobile racing championship, scheduled to be held on April 20-22. The race was cancelled last year due to the outbreak of the popular uprising against the ruling Al Khalifa family. Bahraini activists say they oppose holding a sporting event that “belittles the sacrifices of our children and ignores our suffering and wounds.” “Do not tarnish the reputation of the respected auto sport with the blood of Bahrain victims,” read a statement posted on the Internet by Bahraini activists. Bahraini anti-regime demonstrators hold the US-backed King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa responsible for the death of protesters during the popular uprising in the country that began in February 2011.