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Calling herself a Shiite and proud of it, she added that "first and foremost (she's) a Bahraini." Her father's only crime was wanting democratic freedom. She was also arrested, held two days, interrogated, then released.
She expects much worse ahead. Thousands protest daily. Brute force confronts them. They still courageously rally for justice. "People are sick and tired of living in a country where they cannot speak about what is on their mind. I am speaking out, but we are paying a high price for it."
Race day images showed state-sponsored violence, burning vehicles and tires, rising smoke, and rubble-filled streets. Security forces and armored vehicles surrounded the race venue. Drivers are secluded from events outside.
Few comment other than discussing preparations, expectations, and hopes. Jenson Button told reporters:
<blockquote>"You are here interviewing me as a driver and that's exactly what I am going to talk about -- motor racing. The outside issues, I'm not going to talk about."
Sebastian Vettel joked saying "I haven't seen anyone throwing bombs." He added that his job like other participants is concentrating on the sport and "nothing else."
Opposition Al Wefaq party senior member, Mattar Ebrahim, said "Formula One is being used by the government to mislead public opinion by saying that Bahrain is back to normal."</blockquote>
<blockquote> AFP reported London protests outside F1's offices. Participants want UK drivers to pull out. Rights campaigner Peter Tatchell "appeal(ed) to Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button to withdraw from the" event. "By participating (they give) respectability to the regime."
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