On 1 April 2011, the nonviolent nature of the demonstration at Freedom Square in Suleimaniya Iraq deteriorated quickly.  Two young male provocateurs later alleged to have ties to the PUK (Patriotic Union of Kurdistan) and KDP (Kurdistan Democratic Party) security forces, led a group of demonstrators to the outskirts of the square and began throwing rocks at the armed forces who were positioned in large numbers on street corners.  April 1 was the forty-third day of ongoing demonstrations and the government has done little to recognize the demands of the demonstrators or negotiate with them.