Posted on 06/12/2005 1:09:48 PM PDT by freedom44
Top News Story
New York Times
TEHRAN, June 12 - Hundreds of women staged an unauthorized demonstration in Tehran today, protesting sex discrimination under Iran's Islamic leadership just days before the June 17 presidential elections.
There were reports that the police clubbed several women, though there were no hospital reports of injuries. Demonstrators said they saw some women being detained and dragged away by officers. But the situation appeared to stabilize, and after about an hour of demonstrating, the women disbanded without further incident.
"We will continue such protests because it shows that women are aware of their rights," said Roohi Afzal, 52, a translator who was at the protest. "It seems that our presence today really hurts the government, that it has deployed so many forces. Maybe it will react and respond to our demands."
The demonstrations were part of a recent push by women's rights advocates in Iran to draw attention to their cause during a time of relative tolerance by the government as it seeks to draw more voters to the polls.
One woman who introduced herself as Tahereh, 22, wore a narrow pink see-through material over her head and had a piercing in her nose. She said she received 300,000 Rials, $33, per day to drive in her car around Tehran with Mr. Rafsanjani's poster on the rear window, though she is cynical about the result. "I do it for the money," she said. "He is responsible for the situation. Why would he change it?"
After intervening against the women's gathering, police then turned their attention to residents who had joined in the anti-regime chants. After moving the demonstrators along, police finally managed to disperse the crowds.
Police also consfiscated official press cards carried by some journalists watching the protest, and blocked off access to the area with two large buses.
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Now that's courageous. They're earning their emancipation.
Good for these brave women!
"It seems that our presence today really hurts the government, that it has deployed so many forces. Maybe it will react and respond to our demands."
Maybe it will rain chocolate chips?
"she received 300,000 Rials, $33, per day to drive in her car around Tehran with Mr. Rafsanjani's poster on the rear window, though she is cynical about the result. "I do it for the money," she said. "He is responsible for the situation. Why would he change it?"
Wow, that's a lot of money to say 'no' to, though I hate hearing about people doing this.
Striking while the iron is hot!! Woohoo - good for you ladies.
Also, during the next demonstration try yelling for Amnesty International to get over there and report on the abuse you were put through.
From the pictures that were posted there are still too many of the women wearing "Chadors".
Iran is next, Baby!!!!!!!!!!!
People gotta eat.
Yeah, and I can kind of excuse the people who are living on the street or don't have anything.
But some of these kids are not poor. Just stupid, and want to buy new expensive sunglasses or something. Those kids need to be pulled aside and told about the real Rafsanjani. And then locked in their rooms.
US dismisses Iran election as riggedHere are a few other news items you may have missed.
Yahoo News:
The United States has not waited for the first ballot to be cast before dismissing IranÂ’s presidential election as rigged and exhorting the Iranian people to rise up for democratic reform. READ MOREHuman Rights Watch agreed, in a 17-page briefing paper, Access Denied: Iran's Exclusionary Elections.” The Times UK also.
Photos.
Iran was rocked by explosions. The first explosions occurred in Ahvaz killing 8 and wounding 36. The regime blamed U.S. terrorists, then they said a new group calling itself the Ahwazi Revolutionary Martyrs' Brigades, claimed responsibility and demanded people boycott the election. Then Tehran was rocked with 3 explosions with 1 dead and 3 wounded. Already an Iran analyst and an Iranian blogger believe it was the work of the regime. I believe the regime is hoping to keep the demonstration in Tehran out of the news and anger the masses against pro-democracy forces.
Congressman Curt Weldon's book on Iran is creating quite a stir. The media is reporting his claim on Meet the Press that Osama bin Laden 'in and out' of Iran in recent years. Dan Darling has a fascinating discussion on this. Michael Ledeen and Eli Lake weigh in.
North Korea is helping Iran dig secret missile bunkers, according the Telegraph UK.
I have published a schedule of Pro-Democracy events for the coming week. It will be updated regularly. Check for updates under the daily briefing list in our right sidebar.
Well, helloooo there, you yummy thing.
First the Lebanese Hotties, now the Iranians. George Bush is a darn feminist! LOL
2005 In Remembrance of dear Princess Leila Pahlavi
Friday March 27, 1970 - Sunday June 10, 2001
http://www.farahpahlavi.org/remembrance05.html
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