The Society for Development and Change contacted international media to report on events in the Qatif region during the 2011–2012 Saudi Arabian protests. In October 2011, it reported protestors' demands to create a constitution and independent legislative assembly for Eastern Province. Secretary-General Ahmed Mohammad al-Rebh stated that Saudi Arabians should "be part of the Arab Spring". Al-Rebh was forced into exile in Beirut because of having been forbidden to take part in political activity in Saudi Arabia.