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Jerusalem parking lot protests intensify

August 30, 2009

JERUSALEM (JTA) -- Fervently Orthodox Jews stepped up their protests against a Jerusalem parking lot open on Shabbat.

Sixteen demonstrators were arrested Saturday, and six policemen and a car passenger were injured during the protests. Some protesters also reportedly called police Nazis. One protester was injured when he was run over and dragged by a car after he lay down in the street to block a road used to reach the lot. 

Some 1,500 protesters participated in two days of demonstrations beginning on Friday night, Ha'aretz reported. The weekly demonstrations have been going on for three months, since Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat announced the parking lot would be open on Shabbat, free of charge and staffed by non-Jews, to make it easier for visitors to the city. 

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