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Thousands of Saudi activists were expected to gather today for what activists called “A Day of Rage.” A week of protests leading up to today had smaller than expected crowds. There has been a call for two demonstrations this month, announced on Facebook, the first of which was to have taken place today across the country. However, there are reports of protests taking place only in the Eastern Province city of Qatif where police apparently opened fire on protesters. Shiites form a large part of the Saudi dissident groups. They want the release of what are considered political prisoners. Protesters also want King Abdullah to hold elections since there has never been a Parliament or elected body. According to Reuters, the activists comprise “[a] loose alliance of liberals, moderate Islamists and Shi’ites.” Shiite citizens complain of discrimination by the Sunni Monarchy, and may have been inspired by recent protests by Shiites in neighboring Bahrain. Last November, Human Rights Watch reported that a Saudi journalist who wrote about public anger over frequent electricity cuts was sentenced to two months in prison, and 50 lashes. To attempt to quell the unrest, the Saudi King returned from a three-month trip and announced $37 billion in new public services and benefits. His regime has been clearly rattled by events happening all over the Arab world, and in response to the Egypt revolution he accused protesters of “spewing hatred” and being “infiltrators.” Last Saturday the Saudi Interior Ministry grimly reminded the population of a ban on protests in the country, and warned that the ban would be enforced. Last year President Obama announced an arms deal with Saudi Arabia worth $60 billion. It is the largest U.S. arms deal in history. Together with the U.S., the Saudi regime has offered backing to many of the region’s strongmen.

GUEST: Ahmed AlMulla, writer and poet based in Saudi Arabia, joining us live from Qatif where police fired on protesters yesterday