Tear gas and milkshakes in Manama

Dec 03

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Tear gas and milkshakes in Manama

Kim Kardashian takes Bahrain.

US reality star Kim Kardashian posted this photo of herself. Image from Twitter.

The organiser behind US reality star Kim Kardashian's controversial trip to Bahrain has tried to put a positive spin on her visit. Kardashian drew criticism for going to promote the opening of the "Millions of Milkshakes" franchise, which activists said diverted attention from the ongoing human rights violations in the country.

View the story "Tear gas and milkshakes in Manama " on StorifyTear gas and milkshakes in Manama Kim Kardashian takes Bahrain.Storified by The Stream · Mon, Dec 03 2012 13:26:29Bahrain protest Kardashian tripAJstreamAfter protests by rights activists and religious conservatives, andreports that police fired tear gas at the demonstrators, Kardashian’s trip co-ordinator tweeted a video of ecstatic fans who welcomed her as she promotedher milkshake franchise:

NEW VIDEO: WHAT PROTESTS?? Kim Kardashian loved by the people of Bahrain & wants to return!! http://youtu.be/aE36X2lV85o http://millionsofmilkshakes.comSheeraz HasanKim Kardashian loved by the people of Bahrain at the launch of Millions of Milkshakes!!milkshakes786The irony was not lost on netizens who started thehashtag #TearGasMilkShake to discuss her trip.It would seem that #TearGasMilkshake was a weekend Bahrain craze. Next, #KardashianCanisters?Tony FiskMilkshakes with a hint of torture, flavored with teargas.. @kimkardashian delivers.. #bahrain #TearGasMilkShakeMaryam AlkhawajaKim Kardashian opens her milkshake bar in Bahrain, is shocked to learn the regime is totes oppressive http://goo.gl/fSFHa #TearGasMilkshakeClay Shirky

Many also criticised Kardashian’s glowing tweets about thecountry amidst its current political turmoil, including this one, retweeted by the Bahraini foreign minister:

Thank you :) “@KimKardashian: I just got to Bahrain! OMG can I move here please? Prettiest place on earth!”Khalid AlkhalifaThanks Sheikh Khalifa for your amazing hospitality. I'm in love with The Kingdom of Bahrain @bu_daij70Kim KardashianWhile kardashian tweets abt #Bahrains beauty, gov punishes prisoners w/ beatings,chemical spray & solitary confinement #HeroesinChainsangry arabiyaMaryam Alkhawaja, a prominent Bahraini human rightsactivist,wrote an open letter urging Kardashian to meet with human rights defenders. I am pleased that you’ll be visiting Bahrain, and that you’re interested in using your celebrity to “raise awareness about important issues in the area”. It is admirable that you will take time to meet with local leaders during your busy trip. International human rights organizations have only faced difficulties in entering Bahrain, and since you have listed this as a priority, we’d like to extend an invitation to you to meet with local human rights defenders, who have been documenting Bahrain’s deplorable human rights violations since the unrest started two years ago.Bahrain: Open Letter to Mrs. Kim Kardashian | Bahrain Center for Human RightsAlkhawaja later tweeted us her thoughts: .@AJStream @kimkardashian's visit was part of a series of attempts to make it look like the situation in #bahrain is "back to normal"Maryam Alkhawaja.@AJStream if u read our report it is obvious things have gotten worse in #bahrain, not better http://bahrainrights.hopto.org/en/node/5520.Maryam Alkhawaja.@AJStream, as I stated in me letter, it's impossible for @kimkardashian to remain apolitical, its simply PR for an oppressive regimeMaryam Alkhawaja@AJStream, now we hear the guy who got rolex's/deal to bring @kimkardashian, is planning something for @MileyCyrus as well #bahrainMaryam Alkhawaja@AJStream, shameful PR to cover up ongoing widespread human rights violations like systematic torture, extra judicial killings etc, #bahrainMaryam Alkhawaja