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Thai Red Shirts Rally in Bangkok


Thai anti-government protestors march at a Red Shirt protest rally in Bangkok, Thailand, February 19, 2011
Thai anti-government protestors march at a Red Shirt protest rally in Bangkok, Thailand, February 19, 2011

Thousands of Thai Red Shirts gathered in Bangkok Saturday to mark nine months since a bloody crackdown on their anti-government rally and to demand the release of detained leaders.

The protesters were led by leaders of the Red Shirts, Thida Thavornseth and Jatuporn Promphan.

The Red Shirts assembled under heavy police security at the key intersection in the capital's retail district and marched to the Supreme Court to read out their demands.

At least 90 people died and nearly 2,000 were wounded in clashes between Red Shirts and the army during two months of rallies last year, calling for immediate elections.

Many Red Shirt leaders remain in prison on terrorism charges. The protest movement has held a series of peaceful one-day rallies to demand their release.

The opposition rivals, Yellow Shirt nationalist activists, have been rallying near Government House recently to protest Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's handling of a border dispute with Cambodia.

Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

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