Sunday, 13th March 2011, is a date no University of Bahrain student will ever forget...
It is a day we, the students, in the midst of our revolution, took the decision to go to campus and persue our education...believing that there is no weapon stronger than a degree...
We were at our early classes, when news came about the early morning attacks on the Lulu Roundabout and the surrounding square. Devistated, we felt. All the promises about the right to protest and government compromises seemed to be a lie. Some of us had family members there, we lost contact with protesters in the area, news of injuries were circulating, by 9 a.m. a gathering for a march within university campus started.
University adminstration usually supports peaceful marches and protests on campus grounds. Campus security would normally escort and admin staff would make sure classes are not disturbed.
On 13th March 2011, matters were different...
Students marched between buildings in protest of the Government's attacks on peaceful protesters in the Lulu Roundabout. The march ended in the main Square of the University, where the students had a sit-in.
Meanwhile, Government loyalists' students (who are mostly recently naturalised) began threatening to attack the protesters, saying "let's go hit the girls calling for the downfall of the King". Breaking tables and using its legs as weapons, they went to look for the girls....some went to get "other things" from their cars...
University of Bahrain president, Mr. Ebrahim Janahi, and his two deputies, Mr. Yousif AlBastaki and Mr. Osama AlJowdar now seen leaving the Admin building, heading towards the main gate. News of Main gate being locked...
In the campus's main square, the students (in an attempt to protect the girls) formed a circle to prevent the government loyalists from attacking the girls.
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| The number of guys was significantly less than the girls, many have left the university to go and check on their friends/relatives who were at the Lulu Roundabout. |
