Algerian police on Friday evening banned opposition activists from gathering in the capital Algiers. The move, however, is unlikely to dissuade the anti-government protesters from attempting to descend on the capital in calls to end Abdelaziz Bouteflika's 12-year reign as the country's president, leaders from the opposition said. On Friday, thousands of protesters had gathered outside the capital in the hopes of stirring up the same emotions that led to 18-days of demonstrations in Egypt that culminated in the ousting of Hosni Mubarak from power. However, upon nearing the capital, some 30,000 police stopped the demonstration from continuing. Still, Algerians are calling for massive protests on Saturday, in what they are already dubbing the February 12 revolution. It is unclear what action the government will take. In early January, Algerians took to the streets, but were met with bullets, leaving at least three people dead and scores wounded. “We are ready for the march,” said Mohsen Belabes, a spokesman for the small Rally for Culture and Democracy (RCD). “It's going to be a great day for democracy in Algeria.” Protests in Algeria have been banned since 1992. BM
