Thousands march in Iran anti-government protests

The Washington Times ^ | September 18, 2009 | Barbara Slavin

[jazusamo]

Tens of thousands of people marched in Tehran and other major Iranian cities Friday as demonstrators turned an annual anti-Israel event into a new protest against the Islamic government.

Witnesses and videos posted on the Internet and broadcast by foreign television showed clashes between security forces and protesters chanting "No Gaza, no Lebanon: my life only for Iran" and "death to the dictator."

The demonstrations — the first large street protests since mid-July — had been expected on Friday, when the government celebrates Quds — or Jerusalem Day. The event, held every year on the final Friday in the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, is supposed to show solidarity with the Palestinians.

This year, however, the political opposition decided to use the occasion to resume mass demonstrations against disputed June 12 presidential elections and the violent crackdown that followed.

Waving V-for-victory signs and wearing green the color of the opposition marchers defied warnings from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Iran's Revolutionary Guards not to subvert the commemoration. They filled several major boulevards in Tehran and also turned out in Isfahan, Tabriz and Shiraz, said Mehdi Khalaji, an Iranian scholar at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

While pro-government demonstrators outnumbered the protesters in Tehran — not surprising since regime supporters are typically bussed into the city and given free food and money — state television repeatedly had to interrupt live coverage to bleep out protest slogans.

[Islaminaction]

The bad part is that even more Iranians marched in anti-Israel protests there today also.

[NRA2BFree]

"For the past few decades, the people were afraid and the government was not but now the game has changed," he said. "The government is fearful and the people are fearless."

THAT is when the citizens of any country will win!

[rightwingextremist1776]

What did they say about our own anti-govt march just last week?

[jazusamo]

It looks as though many Iranians are getting fed up but I don’t know if enough are to do any good.

[Islaminaction]

I don’t think it really matters, because when Israel strikes their nuke sites, they will unite against a common enemy.

[jazusamo]

I’m sure you’re correct, it’s just a shame they can’t overthrow the hardliners before that happens.

[Islaminaction]

Agreed, the entire world is at fault here. They let the nuke program go on for far too long.

Love how the IAEA just does an amazing job. /SARC

[Kartographer]

The media knows how many are marching in a protest half-way around the world, but they don't know how many attended a protest in their own back yard!!!

[DGHoodini]

The time for protesting and marches is over . One cannot appeal to the hearts and minds of those who have no souls.

Now is the time to watch and wait...wait and then attack where and when, you can fade back into the scenery, when you’ve killed the hardliner(s) you can kill.

[G8 Diplomat]

While it is obvious that there are Iranians who do hate Israel, it’s worth pointing out that many attend this anti-Israel “Jerusalem Day” rally either because of government pressure or fear of losing their job if they are on record as not attending, not necessarily out of genuine support for Gaza. Also both sides were wearing green so it’s difficult to tell them apart.

Also, anti-regime protests have gotten into the millions. Not every anti-govt Iranian was on the streets today. A day of legal protesting draws ten thousand whereas illegal anti-regime protesting draws millions. I think that says something.

[Islaminaction]

You have the numbers backwards.

“Several tens of thousands joined the opposition marches, witnesses said — far smaller than the masses that turned out in the Quds Day rallies,...”

The West is getting excited over nothing here, as soon Israel strikes them, they will unite again. Also whatever happens there is not going to slow down Islam advancing across the West.

[NRA2BFree]

It looks as though many Iranians are getting fed up but I don’t know if enough are to do any good.

Hopefully, when they saw Americans take to the streets it encouraged them to do it again. IF they are ever going to be free, they are going to have to overthrow their government and the Mullahs!