Protests continue in Syria as government violence escalates

If the reports are true, it is at least good news that the number of protesters is at least holding steady and possibly increasing. Violence by Assad's security forces continues as well.

The Guardian:

Thousands of Syrians defied their government's bloody attempts to suppress protests, braving gunfire from security forces to demonstrate in Damascus and across the country.

At least 42 people were killed, most of them in the opposition stronghold of Deraa, where villagers tried to break through the security cordon to relieve its besieged population.

Further deaths were reported in Latakia and Homs after the security forces opened fire on demonstrators. There was news of protests in 50 towns and villages including Hama, Aleppo, the coastal cities of Latakia and Banias, Deir Ezzor in the east, and Qamishli in the north-east. Unrest was also reported on the Syria-Jordan border, which is straddled by the Haurani tribes.