Posted: March 23, 2013 When demonstrators began rising up
against Arab governments in 2011, Saudi authorities responded
with large spending projects and with tough actions against
protesters. However, the Shiite minority in eastern Saudi Arabia
persists with regular demonstrations. Editor's note: When Arab
Spring protests broke out in Saudi Arabia in 2011, the
government reacted quickly, pumping $130 billion into the
economy and cracking down on dissent. While this approach has
worked in some cities, the Shiite Muslims in the Eastern
Province continued to demonstrate. Reese Erlich, on assignment
for GlobalPost and NPR, managed to get into the city of Qatif
and meet with protest leaders. Night has fallen as the car
rumbles down back roads to avoid the Saudi Army's special anti-
riot units. To be stopped at any of the numerous checkpoints
leading into Qatif would mean police detention for a Western
journalist and far worse for the Saudi activists in the car.
They would likely spend a lot of time in jail for spre