Posted on 07/10/2009 5:09:48 AM PDT by nuconvert
TEHRAN, July 9 -- Thousands of anti-government demonstrators were attacked with batons and tear gas by security forces Thursday as they tried to gather around Tehran University for the first protests in about two weeks, defying warnings from the authorities that they would crush any demonstrations.
The protests were called to commemorate an attack on students at the university in 1999. The demonstrators are using such anniversaries and special occasions to rally people in public. Demonstrators and Web sites said the next possible date is the second-term inauguration of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, which is expected next month. Several national and religious celebrations also are coming up in the months ahead.
At the same time, the authorities also showed their determination to prevent such protests.
An eyewitness said army conscripts carrying plastic shields and batons filled the area in front of Tehran University. Two middle-aged women reportedly walked up to the security forces, asking them mockingly whether it was already 5 p.m., the proposed start time for the demonstration. "Oh, still 20 minutes left," one woman told them. "That means that you still have time to leave," she added, laughing.
But the mood quickly changed when plainclothes security personnel started shoving people into unmarked vans with blacked-out windows. "A girl started screaming, and three men started beating her very hard with batons as she was lying on the ground, swearing at them, calling them dirtbags," an eyewitness said. When groups of people started shouting at the men, a young bearded official in civilian clothes ran toward the crowds, pulled out a revolver and started shooting in the air. "Everybody ran away into the nearby alleys," the eyewitness said.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Obama cannot let the Iranian protesters win. They may like freedom way too much for his comfort.
The protests were called to commemorate an attack on students at the university in 1999.
You are right that Obozo is rooting for the Mulla’s.
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Her is what I have seen is happening in Iran (via Twitter) over the past week:
(1) There is open division amoung Islamic Clerics in Iran, some in defiance of Ayatollah Khomeini.
(2) Khomeini’s son Ahmad is not in charge of the Basij Malitia that is supressing the croud.
(3) The Basij Malitia has foreign elements withing it that do not speak Persian (Farsi).
(4) There have been reports of Lebanese Hizballa involvement. (and other groups)
(5) This is a nationwide defiance of Khomeini over the election outcome that has blossomed into a larger conflict than just a dispute between Mulla’s. The Persians want freedom.
(6) I watched Video’s yesterday of black uniformed riot police (probably Revolutionary Guard) moving into the University complex. The video came from the Science lab area. They were probably trying to stop the broadcast of the conflict through the web.
Observation: Most of the information concerning the conflict is directed outward by twitter. I e-mailed several Farsi speaking Twitter users a prayer in Farsi that I was praying for them to gain their freedom and the truth. I had more than one response, but oddly 2 of the responses were in Arabic, not Farsi. This is probably because of the outside elements surpressing the population. Persian culture is not Arabic based, and a much older Civilization.
We see through the same glasses, but I disagree with the approach.
First a State level push over the 10th Amendment. This is happening. That will take some time, but I am seeing some encouraging progress with this.
If an open “break” takes place, and it could over “Cap & Trade”, the country’s auto self-destruct bill. The energy producing states will never sign on to this. Nor should they.
If an open “break” takes place I could see the “volunteers” helping the “Guard”, not being surpressed by them.
The U.S. military will never fire on our own people to surpress them. Will not happen. We will have a revolt within the Military and the Retired Military before that happens.
Someone is going to eventually uncover Obozo’s “past” and there is enough there to remove him. He has made some powerful enemies, and his hidden past will eventually come out.
For now. Stay cool.
Newbus—This is not the thread for your comments. Focus. It’s not always about us, this is about the Iranian’s struggle for freedom from the Supreme Thug Konmany and his little liar puppet Amadamnutjob.
Your point about staying on thread is appropriate, but if you will look at my original comments on #4 of this thread, it was just that.
I have been watching things transpire in Iran for some time. And I think that you and I both agree on what the best outcome will be.
Unfortunately our current DC crowd does not reflect our sentiment toward Iran.
I did not intend to go off subject, but did respond to a related comment.
I had forgotten I was a relative newbie here.
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