Posted on 05/25/2006 5:33:13 PM PDT by familyop
Orumieh, Iran, May 25 – Anti-government protests and clashes erupted in dozens of towns and cities in north-west Iran on Thursday following a 100,000-strong rally in the city of Tabriz by enraged Azeris on Monday against the publication of an insulting cartoon in an official daily, eye-witnesses reported.
In the town of Marand, thousands took part in a violent demonstration chanting anti-government slogans, a dissident who requested anonymity told Iran Focus by telephone.
In nearby Orumieh, government forces opened fire on a rally by several thousand protesters near the local headquarters of the state broadcasting company on Wednesday, killing at least people, witnesses reported. Previously, the offices of the daily Iran, which published the cartoon, were set on fire in the city.
Protests also flared on Thursday in the cities of Zanjan and Ardebil which had been the scenes of mass rallies since Monday.
During Monday’s demonstration in Tabriz, angry Azeris poured in the streets, attacking state-owned buildings and banks. Police used teargas to disperse the protesters.
Dozens of state-buildings were also set on fire in several other towns.
Ethnic Azeris make up approximately 25 percent of Iran’s population.
The cartoon that upset the Azeris, BTW, was published by one of the mullahs in his paper. He volunteered to shut it down afterward.
any word on the 15 students that disappeared yesterday?
Hope that CIA seed money is helping grease the skids.
Now we just need the a few generals to turn.
Well, let's see, so far they have managed to piss off the Kurds, the Azuris, the Arabs, anyone else?
The National Council of Resistance of Iran site (our good guy assets) has more news on the clashes involving the anti-mullah students, but material from NRC-Iran is not welcome at FR. ...guess we have to stick with the MSM, which is mostly on the side of the mullahs and won't report on anti-Ahmadinejad protests.
Iran Focus, BTW, is one of several publications by Iranians who are too afraid and won't report on activities very noticably against Ahmadinejad. NCRI is much more courageous and open with the anti-mullah news.
If it is done properly we will never know. Lets hope.
Hope indeed. We need to be beaming in VOA at 10,000 megawatts.
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