Saudi Arabia women to defy authorities over female driving ban By Mohammed Jamjoom and Laura Smith-Spark, CNN October 26, 2013 -- Updated 0837 GMT (1637 HKT) Women activists have called a day of protest over Saudi Arabia's ban on female drivers A couple of women have already driven without incident Saturday, campaign supporters say Saudi Interior Ministry has warned women not to drive, protesters not to demonstrate Dozens of women have uploaded video of themselves driving as part of an online campaign (CNN) -- Women in Saudi Arabia plan to demonstrate Saturday against their nation's de facto ban on women driving -- by getting behind the steering wheel. It's not yet clear how many women will defy authorities to drive themselves through the streets of the Kingdom. But the campaign for change has been gathering pace on social media, with numerous women filming themselves behind the wheel in various cities, and then uploading those videos to YouTube. Supporters of the campaign told CNN Saturday morning that so far two women had driven without incident. More are expected to follow suit. Saudi Arabia's Interior Ministry issued a warning this week to women caught driving and anyone taking part in demonstrations. Several Saudi women supporting the October 26th Women's Driving Campaign said they received threatening calls Thursday from men claiming to represent the Interior Ministry, according to women's rights activists who requested anonymity. Initially, Al-Turki denied any calls were made. He later contacted CNN to clarify his comments. He said the phone calls were a public relations move the ministry undertook to help some people understand a statement made Wednesday, which said laws would be "fully enforced" Saturday. This will apply to female drivers and those who might stage protests in a nation where they're outlawed. Discriminatory and demeaning to women Saturday's protest is the culmination of an online movement launched in late September urging Saudi women to get behind the wheel. The October 26th Women's Driving Campaign quickly gained momentum, with its online petition garnering thousands of signatures. Rights group Amnesty International on Thursday urged Saudi Arabia to lift the ban on women driving -- and not to punish those campaigning for change. "It is astonishing that in the 21st century the Saudi Arabian authorities continue to deny women the right to legally drive a car," said Philip Luther, director of the group's Middle East and North Africa program. The driving ban is inherently discriminatory and demeaning to women and must be overturned immediately. It is completely unacceptable for the authorities to stand in the way of activists planning to campaign against it. According to Amnesty International, at least 35 women have already taken to the Saudi streets driving their cars, filming and uploading their videos on to YouTube. Amnesty points out that the current situation makes Saudi women dependent on men to carry out simple daily tasks requiring transport, such as traveling to work or university, and taking their children to school. Fellow rights group Human Rights Watch also called for the Saudi authorities to lift the ban on women driving.