April and May 2011: Several protests were staged in Qatif, Al-Awamiyah and Hofuf in the Eastern Province to end anti-Shia discrimination policies and ensure the release of prisoners detained without charge or trial. November 2011: The first casualties when four protesters were killed by Saudi security fire in Qatif. Early 2012: A new development when protesters chanted slogans against the House of Saud and the interior minister, calling the latter a "terrorist", "criminal" and "butcher" and throwing his effigy at tanks. July 2012: Police arrest Sheikh Nimr Al-Nimr, a leading figure in the protest movement in the Eastern Province. 8 July: Four men killed in a protest following Al-Nimr's arrest. 13 July: Funerals become large rallies with protesters reiterating the call for the fall of the House of Saud. 3-4 August: A protester and soldier are fatally shot in Qatif during 3-4 August clashes, leading to more protests.
