Amman protesters shatter demand ceiling by calling for a "Jordanian Republic"
25-07-2013 02:22 AM
Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - Dozens of pro-reform demonstrators on Wednesday night escalated their rhetoric against the state and the regime in a protest they held near the Jamal Abdel Nasser (Interior Ministry) Circle in central Amman.
The protest, organized by the Youth current in the Islamist movement and pro-reform popular movements marched from Jabal al-Hussein, blasting the government for what they considered the continued arbitrary detention and unconstitutional trials of four reform activists affiliated with the Islamist youth movement.
The protesters denounced the activists' detention and trial before the State Security Court, Jordan's military tribunal, which they described as "unconstitutional," expressing that the legal measures and trials against the activists are of a "political" nature.
Demonstrators escalated their rhetoric in the renewed protest at the Interior Ministry Circle, this time chanting slogans that exceeded the traditional "reforming the regime," to blast Jordanian regime figures and officials with harsh criticism and accusations.
Protesters called for a Jordanian "Republic," that would combine the "East and the West Bank."
Participants from the Islamist youth movement and the Dhiban Reform Movement chanted "From Dhiban to Amman, we declare an East and West Jordanian republic."
Meanwhile, police and gendarmerie security forces, who clearly outnumbered the protesters, formed a barrier between the reform protesters and counter-protesters, intervening to prevent clashes between the two sides.
One protester was injured as counter protesters hurled rocks at the demonstrators.
Security forces had deployed to the Interior Ministry Circle in central Amman before the protest began, and worked to direct traffic and prevent protesters from blocking the vital intersection.
Protesters attempted to reach the Circle, but gendarmerie forces prevented them with barriers posted between Jabal al-Hussein and the Circle.
Police called on the protesters to disperse their demonstration nearly an hour after it launched on Wednesday night.
The Jamal Abdel Nasser Square (Interior Ministry Circle) represented a symbolic location marking the large protest held on March 24, 2011, in which hundreds of protesters were faced by counter- self-described loyalists and gendarmerie forces who used force, water canons, and tear gas to disperse the large crowds.