riyadh saudi arabian women give right drive last week nearly three decades campaign activists say breakthrough come price silence royal decree end ban women drive hail proof new progressive trend deeply conservative muslim kingdom women say cow speak charge government deny four women previously participate protest ban tell reuters receive phone call instruct comment decree two women say around 25 activists receive call saudi arabia push reform objections conservatives leadership try modernize without lose support traditional base islamist clerics see government dabble politics detain apparent crackdown potential opponents kingdom rulers last month appear pave way lift drive ban activists analysts say government also keen avoid reward activism forbid absolute monarchy seem determine antagonize religious sensitivities seemingly inviolable saudi norms turn head religious clerics support policies ban women drive gender mix apparently change mind change suggest possible shift power balance toward al saud rule family away wahhabi clerical establishment first protest drive ban 1990 47 women drive around central riyadh nearly hour detain religious police fire job bar travel one participant university professor 60s recall act defiance spark new era saudi women right movement first loop catch second time catch think somebody call remember one man front us car go like say wag finger mean want us drive protest follow government acknowledge activists efforts since end ban activists say receive phone call order remain silent speak condition anonymity fear reprisals straightforward say order comment women drive issue procedures take hold accountable anything post call one callers say another woman tamador al-yami apologize twitter unable comment reason beyond control everybody know .. everybody follow .. need say loud write matter matter win government say allegations false cite women speak op-eds new york time cnn one censor warn express view information ministry statement say saudi arabia welcome enormous interest contributions debate especially citizens end drive ban part kingdom vision 2030 reform program aim diversify economy away oil open saudis cloister lifestyles crown prince mohammed bin salman 32 face change many young saudis regard recent ascent power proof generation take central place run country whose patriarchal traditions decades make power province old block women progress yet crown prince noticeably absent rollout new drive policy present media washington rather riyadh may reflect riskiness move welcome many meet confusion outrage others saudi media tag news ban king win women drive police however issue two arrest warrant weekend men post threats women drivers activist hala al-dosari live boston say lift ban also intend silence women activists monarchy want central saudi state inside outside owners reform will position contest say convince world patrons modernization women saudi arabia challenge notions eman al-nafjan participate drive protest 2011 say relieve ban lift frustrate role women activists overlook efforts reason ban lift decision make regardless struggle write day royal decree professor take part 1990 protest say family express strong opinions activism years ago one relative think celebrity niece think someone special say say oh auntie saudi women drive last say price silence