Saudis protest against Al Saud

Anti-government protesters in Saudi Arabia have once again taken to the streets of the eastern city of Awamiyah, calling for the downfall of the Al Saud regime. Protesters, who gathered in Awamiyah, located in the Qatif region of the Eastern Province, on Thursday night, also demanded the release of the country's political prisoners. The protest comes despite heavy crackdown by regime forces over the past few months. There have been demonstrations in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province on an almost daily basis over the past few months, with protesters calling for political reform. The protests have intensified since November when security forces opened fire on protesters in Qatif, killing five people and leaving many more injured. Rights groups have criticized Riyadh for suppressing anti-government protests in the country. The Saudi interior ministry issued a statement in March 2011, prohibiting "all forms of demonstrations, marches, or protests, and calls for them."