Security forces beat and arrested student protesters in the Sudanese capital on Sunday as the unrest and anti-government fervor in Tunisia and Egypt showed their first indication of spreading to the streets of Khartoum, if on a far smaller scale.
The protests, organized by groups of university students and graduates, come as Facebook, Twitter and other Web sites were used to rally several thousand demonstrators in at least four locations in Khartoum and Omdurman, according to news services and activists.
“It’s about time we fight for our God-given rights,” a Facebook page announcing the protests exhorted, calling for an end to autocratic government practices that have led to corruption, rising prices and unemployment. “Our brothers in Tunisia did it, and so did our brothers in Egypt.”
More than 16,000 people had indicated they would attend.
Video shot by protesters shows security forces in blue camouflage beating protesters with batons. Representatives of the student groups said about 50 people were arrested.
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