Tagged: Bahrain

On Sunday morning, Formula One racing cars are competing for first place in a controversial race in the Arab kingdom of Bahrain. Violent anti-government protests have continued in the run-up to the race. Host Rachel Martin talks with Nabeel Rajab, president of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights.

A year after an uprising threatened Bahrain's monarchy, the royal family is hosting a Formula One Grand Prix race this Sunday as it attempts to show life has returned to normal.

But racing fans will have to make their way through ranks of police and soldiers who are part of a heavy security presence. And riot police have been using tear gas, stun grenades and birdshot to hold back demonstrations around the capital city, Manama.

More than 100 million viewers around the world are expected to tune-in to watch a Grand Prix race in the Persian Gulf nation of Bahrain this weekend. The same race was cancelled there last year for safety reasons, amid Arab Spring protests and police crack downs. While turmoil still exists, ESPN senior writer Ryan McGee tells Audie Cornish this year's race will likely go on, but it won't be without controversy.