Security forces kill protesters in Syria

This morning in the outskirts of Damascus, as well as 20 other towns, security forces opened fire to disperse thousands of protesters, leaving 43 dead. So far, this is the bloodiest day of the five-week-old Syrian uprising. In the capital, hundreds of people were gathered after prayers at the al-Hassan Mosque, with many chanting, “The people want the fall of the government!” According to witnesses, security forces quickly dispersed these protesters with tear gas. Despite the widespread uprising, Syrian president Bashar al-Hassad has the loyalty of the military, who continue to break up protests across the country.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/23/world/middleeast/23syria.html?_r=1&hp

Megan Borows