Bahrain protesters seek global Formula 1 audience for their cause

http://www.telegraph.co.uk

Protests in Bahrain calling for the dissolution of the Sunni monarchy and equal treatment for the Shia majority have now been joined by protest signs which criticise Formula One specifically for coming to the country. “A lot of the protesters are holding up placards saying 'Formula One driving over Bahraini blood',” Mr Freeman said of the protests he has seen day and night around the capital Manama. “People gather in the early evening in the alleyways of the villages where they listen to speeches from a mosque tower then they head off. "As soon as they reach one of the main roads, there are usually large groups of riot police who then promptly fire off tear gas.” In videos posted online by activists inside Bahrain, protesters can be seen throwing petrol bombs at the advancing security services in various locations around Manama.The Telegraph is unable to independently verify the date or location of the video footage though this footage was claimed to have been filmed on Thursday evening. Despite an incident in which mechanics from the Force India team were caught between petrol-bomb throwing protesters and riot police, all the Formula One teams are publicly committed to running the race. Around town, though, it doesn't feel like race weekend. “There is not much of a sense of a large fan entourage here,” our correspondent said of the quiet streets of Manama, which would usually be filled with sponsor's branding and parties when Formula One comes to town. "The big fear is that someone makes it onto the track during Sunday's race but a more likely outcome may be for a protester to unfurl a banner they had smuggled into the venue in the hope that it will be seen by the estimated 600 million race watchers worldwide. Even strict Formula One licensing rights would not stop the dissemination of any such incident. “If any protesters do get in they are well versed in taking footage on mobile phones and then smuggling it out and putting on the internet,” Mr Freeman said.