You're reading: Thousands gather in Yemen capital for new protests

SANAA, Yemen (AP) — Tens of thousands of protesters are flocking to a main square in the Yemeni capital for March 18 prayers and to push their demands that the country's ruler of 32 years step down.

Hundreds of police are patrolling the streets of Sanaa and elite forces are setting up fortifications around the presidential compound, ministries and the headquarters of Yemen’s ruling party.

Demonstrators have camped out in squares across Yemen for over a month — inspired by the popular uprisings across the Mideast — to demand President Ali Abdullah Saleh leave office. Government forces have used live fire, rubber bullets, tear gas, sticks, knives and rocks in an increasingly deadly crackdown on the protesters.

Despite the violence, protesters say they won’t go until Saleh does.