Bahrain demolishes Pearl Monument, site of protests
By the CNN Wire Staff
March 18, 2011
Security forces in Bahrain on Friday demolished the Pearl Monument, a landmark that had been the site of massive recent anti-government protests.
The government explained the demolition by saying it was done "out of the government's keenness to optimize services and improve the infrastructure" and that it would "boost flow of traffic in this vital area of the capital," according to the state-run Bahrain News Agency.
Meanwhile, the the streets of Manama -- filled with protesters earlier in the week -- were clear Friday just hours after a deadly government crackdown.
Amnesty International accused Bahrain on Thursday of using shotguns, tear gas and rubber bullets to subdue protesters, joining a growing chorus of concerns over the crackdown. Security forces have used "excessive force," leading to the killing of eight people in recent violence, Amnesty said in a report.
Pearl Monument Before Government DestructionPearl Monument After Government Destructionhttp://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/03/18/bahrain.protests/index.html?hpt=T2#