Thousands of protesters chanted anti-government slogans and demanded the release of political prisoners during Friday’s rally in Mahooz, west of Manama.
Pearl Square in central Manama had served as the opposition’s headquarters during the first weeks of the Shiite majority’s campaign to loosen the Sunni dynasty’s grip on power in the strategic island that is the home of the U.S. Navy 5th Fleet.
The protests were inspired by other Arab revolts.
At least 45 people have been killed in the unrest, and hundreds have been arrested and tried on anti-state crimes.
