The Associated Press
MANAMA, Bahrain — Security forces in Bahrain have fired tear gas and stun grenades at hundreds of anti-government protesters who are chanting slogans against the upcoming Formula One Grand Prix.
Bahraini anti-government activist Zainab al-Khawaja, second right, gestures and chants slogans in front of riot police during a protest Wednesday, April 18, 2012, in downtown Manama, Bahrain. Security forces fired stun grenades at the protesters who swarmed into a cultural exhibition for the Formula Bahrain One Grand Prix race, setting off street battles and sending visitors fleeing for cover. (AP Photo/Hasan Jamali) 
Bahraini opposition rights activist Nabeel Rajab, left in white shirt with back to camera, chants with other anti-government protesters Wednesday, April 18, 2012, as riot police watch in a tourist market in downtown Manama, Bahrain. Many participants carried pictures of Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, a jailed activist who has been on a hunger strike for more than two months. Security forces fired stun grenades at the protesters who swarmed into a cultural exhibition for the Formula Bahrain One Grand Prix race, setting off street battles and sending visitors fleeing for cover. (AP Photo/Hasan Jamali) Thursday's clash, witnessed by an Associated Press photographer, is the latest flare-up in the Gulf kingdom as it hosts F1 racing teams from around the world.
Bahrain opposition groups have criticized the decision to stage Sunday's race, which was canceled last year because of unrest.
Marchers chanted slogans against the F1 and appealed for the release of a jailed activist who has been on a hunger strike for more than two months.
Bahrain's Shiite majority began an uprising in February 2011 seeking a greater political voice in the Sunni-ruled kingdom.
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April 19, 2012 10:16 AM EDT
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