Police break up 10th CNCD protest

Algiers-The National Coordination for Change and Democracy (CNCD) fails for the 10th time since February 12, today to start a march down town Algiers.

  Algerian security cervices broke up a march started by some 20 protesters, including head of the Algerian Association for Defending Human Rights Mr. Ali Yahia Abdennour, some representatives of the Rally for Culture and Democracy (RCD) and activists from two political parties, the Democratic and Social Movement and the Party for Secularism and Democracy.

“Government should grant sovereignty and legitimacy for people and Algerian youth should be given the opportunity to rule the country’s affairs”, he told the press.

Protesters called for radical change of the political system in Algeria through chanting usual slogans such as “Free and Democratic Algeria”, “Algeria has Youth”.

Algerian authorities said the protests are not authorized since 2001 due to security measures and not to prevent freedom of organizing peaceful protests.