Yemen Protests: 'Friday of Rage' Marked By Clashes As Protests Spread (LIVE UPDATES) 18FEB11

THE people of Yemen, poorest of nations on the Arabian Peninsula, are also struggling for their freedom and democracy, a struggle, if they win, may promote peace in the nation which has been torn by economic and political strife. These people want what most people want, to be able to live in peace, send their children to school, earn enough to not live in fear of hunger, homelessness and disease, and enjoy freedom of religion, speech, assembly, the press and be governed by a democratic government. U.S. military aid will not bring these things to the people of Yemen, millions in military aid and involvement have kept the present dictatorship in power. Yemen in revolution is another example of the failing policies of the American government as determined by the military-industrial complex's greed, their determination in keeping war profitable. If we had spent more in bread than bullets, more in fostering democracy than dictatorships, would the Maghreb, the Arabian Peninsula and the Persian Gulf be convulsing with revolution now? 
SANAA, Yemen -- Riot police fired shots in the air and used tear gas against thousands of government opponents who also clashed with supporters of Yemen's longtime ruler on what protest organizers billed as a nationwide "Friday of Rage." At least four people were wounded. (Scroll down for live updates.)
Riots also flared overnight in the southern port of Aden, the country's second-largest city, with police shooting to death one demonstrator after cars and a local government building were set ablaze, officials said. Tens of thousands rallied in the southern city of Taiz, a hotbed of dissent.
It was the eighth straight day of protests in Yemen inspired by uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia. Demonstrators in the Arab world's poorest country are calling for the ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh - a key U.S. ally in fighting al-Qaida terrorists - who has ruled the country for 32 years.
Organizers using social media sites Facebook and Twitter in summoning people to the streets for the "Friday of Rage" following noon prayer, and tens of thousands responded in the major cities of Sanaa, Taiz and Aden.
A preacher at the Sanaa University mosque spoke out against torture and beating of demonstrators, telling many protesters who had gathered there: "We have been living for 30 years without purpose or hope."
After the service, the protesters marched toward the presidential palace, chanting anti-government slogans, and were met by riot police and hundreds of Saleh supporters, similar to confrontations earlier this week. The pro-and anti-government sides attacked each other with rocks, and the riot police began firing in the air and launching tear gas canisters.
At least four people were hurt seriously enough to be taken away by ambulances.

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The demonstrators dispersed to other streets, some of which were blocked by police.
In Aden, protesters burned four government cars and a local council building in the Sheik Othman neighborhood. Similar government buildings in the Mansoura and Crater districts were set on fire in the past two days.
Later on Friday, thousands marched through the city.
A large demonstration also was reported in eastern Hadramawt province, where police fired in the air to disperse protesters.
Saleh, a weak but increasingly important partner for Washington, had pledged not to seek re-election in 2013 and not to pass power to his son. The promise was seen as an attempt to defuse growing calls for his ouster.
Opposition groups said they are suspicious of Saleh's offer, however, and want concrete proposals for change.