Activists in Bahrain are preparing to mark next week’s one-year anniversary of the start of their protests against the U.S.-backed Sunni monarchy. At a rally this week, the Bahraini activist Nabeel Rajab called on demonstrators to reoccupy the Pearl roundabout in the capital Manama.

Nabeel Rajab: “The right of expression, the right to hold gatherings—these are two rights the regime is trying to take away from us. I want to tell you that we should go to Manama, hold protests and, without permission, to stand up to this government and maintain that this is one of our rights. We will not back down on these rights, especially when it comes to protesting at the Pearl roundabout.”