ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION)<br/> <br />Video emerged on Saturday (March 10) of tens of thousands of Bahrainis taking to the streets to demand democratic reforms, stepping up pressure on the U.S.-allied government in the biggest protest yet.<br/> <br />The protest which took place on Friday (March 9) started along a highway near Manama after the protesters responded to a call from leading Shi'ite cleric Sheikh Isa Qassim, who urged people to renew their calls for greater democracy.<br/> <br />Video footage obtained by Reuters showed images of the protesters carrying banners denouncing "dictatorship" and demanding the release of detainees.<br/> <br />Activists said riot police blocking the road fired tear gas and the interior ministry said protesters threw stones.<br/> <br />Activists also reported clashes with police later in the capital's Makharqa district, as well as in the village of Eker southeast of the Manama.
