As many as 100,000 Iranians gathered today

KRSI ^ | 7/09/03 | Matthew Gudman

[freedom44]

Shrugging off death threats by government paramilitary forces, tens thousands of Iranian students took to the streets Wednesday night, burning at least three government banks, calling for the country's democratization and the death to its extremist leader Ayatollah Ali Khameini.

The demonstrations, banned by the Mullarchy, came on the 4th anniversary of 1999 pro-reform protests which triggered a violent regime crackdown, the death of one student and the arrest of thousands.

Opposition group leaders hailed Wednesday's demonstrations the culmination of month-long anti-government activities as a deadly blow to the repressive regime, saying it edges Iran ever closer to a democratic revolution.

Following and eerily quiet day in Iran, three-sided street battles erupted between pro-reform youth, regime-backed para-military forces, and police outside Tehran University.

As many as 100,000 also gathered around one of Tehran's main city squares Wednesday night chanting pro-democracy slogans and calling for the death of Khameini, an opposition source said.

The protests also coincide with mounting international pressure on Iran to reveal its secret nuclear reactors, suspected to be developing a nuclear bomb.

On a visit to Iran Wednesday International Atomic Energy Agency's chief Muhammed ElBaradei, failed to secure Iran's agreement to immediately conduct more rigorous inspections of its suspected nuclear program.

The Iranian regime, at present, consents only to pre-arranged visits to sites it chooses to declare.

But Tehran, facing mounting pressure from the U.S. and Britain, has said it would only consider signing the protocol if other Non-Proliferation Treaty signatories met their obligations relating to the transfer of civil nuclear technology.

"This is a very big step forward in the road to the democratization in Iran," Safa Haeri, editor of the leading opposition newspaper, the Iranian Press Service, told the Jerusalem Post from Paris.

Beyond the demonstrations themselves, Haeir regarded the student's capture of the world media' attention "a watershed event." According to Haeri the demonstrations and the a student letter campaign calling Iran a "political Apartheid state," might compel the U.S. to slap an embargo on Iran for violating basic human rights.

Earlier in the day three student leaders were promptly arrested after they criticized the government in a news conference held to declare that they canceled the day's demonstrations.

Government supported militants have been attacking students, primarily invading student dormitories and beating students in their sleep, for over a month. The attacks are aimed at discouraging students from their almost nightly demonstrations calling for an end to the repressive regime of Khameini.

With crackdowns coming with increasing fury, students have fought back, for the first time calling for Khameini's death, a crime punishable in Iran with a hefty prison term or even disappearance, at the hands of the paramilitary forces.

In an effort to forestall the demonstrations the government deployed the para-military Ansar Hezbollah and the Basij volunteers notorious for their pro-Ayatolla fanaticism and their penchant for spilling blood.

The Mullahs told reformist parliament deputies to reign in demonstrators or they "would be mercilessly crushed," according to a Iranian opposition source.

The para-military groups were not armed with batons but with firearms, said the source.

In an open letter sent to U.N. General-Secretary Kofi Anan Iranian student leaders claimed that "a political apartheid has taken all hopes from the Iranian people, because it is denying us self rule and the right of choice, the right to be master of our own destiny, because it has lowered our expectations to the lowest limits possible and also because we are worried to see the experience of our neighbors be repeated here."

In what experts called a remarkable show of mushrooming anti-government sentiment the signatories represented student associations of thirty universities.

Part of the impetus for the continued pressure on the government originates with U.S., France, and Britain-based opposition groups openly supporting student revolt.

Pentagon sources have for months been calling and prophesying a student revolt that could, if only eventually, topple the hard-line regime.

One Israel-based Farsi broadcaster, Menashe Amir, predicted that an Iranian national uprising is a matter of time. He cited Iranians' anger at poverty, drug addiction and support for international terror.

The Jerusalem-based station broadcasts Iranian-language talk shows on short-wave frequencies that can be heard in Iran. Iranians from all sectors of that country's society call in regularly, the station says.

Israel Radio estimates tens of millions of Iranians listen to its Farsi broadcasts, particularly during times of unrest.

[freedom44]

Satellite Television (main tool for being people out), along with cell phones were jammed. Websites were disallowed, and jammed. Foreign media was banned from showing student demonstrations (even though someone told me FOXNews somehow got some clips). Student leaders were arrested, thousands rounded up before the actual date. Jack Straw of England cut deals --promising not to side with the demonstrators if the Regime will stay out of Iraq, and cooperate with the Nuclear Weapons. In spite of all that a very large crowd came out near Tehran's main cities. However, in order for them to succeed there really needs to be alot more pressure, instead of support, especially from European countries. These demonstrations will not stop--until secularism, freedom and democracy are achieved.

[freedom44]

on or off iran ping

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[dr_who_2]

Shut up Kofi, and get back under the porch (with Helen Thomas) where you belong. The U.S. government should be more outspoken about all this.

[Burkeman1]

This is encouraging. So lets not foul it up by getting involved either militarily of diplomatically. Let the Iranians evolve naturally toward a western style government, culture, and economy. They are not children and we ain't big daddy.

[demsux]

444 days...never forget

[freedom44]

Senator Brownback's "Iran Democracy" act has passed in Senate.

http://www.voanews.com/article.cfm?objectID=AD4B6EFE-9D1F-49D2-AB6304DE1A1F6F72

The U.S. Senate Wednesday night passed a measure aimed at supporting pro-democracy advocates in Iran. The chamber acted as demonstrators rallied in Tehran and in Washington to mark the fourth anniversary of violent student protests in the Iranian capital.

The "Iran Democracy Act", which passed by voice vote, would, among other things, expand U.S.-funded radio and television broadcasts to Iran and call for an internationally-monitored referendum to allow the Iranian people to peacefully change their system of government.

Just hours after pro-democracy demonstrators clashed with police and vigilantes in Tehran, Senator Sam Brownback, a Kansas Republican, brought his legislation to the Senate floor for the vote.

"It is clear by the Iranian regime's treatment of its own people in their attempt to be heard that Iran is no democracy," he said. "We should clearly establish that we are opposed to the regime in Tehran, but we are with the people of Iran."

The measure is attached as an amendment to the State Department's budget bill, which funds U.S. foreign operations. The House must act on the bill before it is sent to President Bush for his signature. The Bush administration, which has designated Iran part of an axis of evil and a key state sponsor of terrorism, has signaled that it supports the measure.

Senator Brownback said supporting the forces of democracy in Iran is in the direct security interests of the United States. He noted international concerns about Iran's nuclear program, and Iran's confirmation this week that it tested a mid-range missile, capable of striking a number of targets in the Middle East, including Israel.

"This means that Iran could have nuclear weapons and the means to deliver them, to hit at us, or our friends and allies in the region," he said. "Clearly this is a bad situation which is getting worse by the day."

Earlier, at a rally in support of democracy in Iran held on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol, Senator Brownback offered encouragement to democracy advocates protesting in Iran.

"Stay strong, and know that America supports you," he said, "and we will be there to help you rebuild your beautiful land, hopefully next July, hopefully next July, as America celebrates its Independence Day, we can rejoice with you in celebrating your independence!"

Hundreds of Iranian-Americans turned out for the rally.

[Libertarianize the GOP]

http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/bump-list

[f.Christian]

The Iranians must have wiped out a whole generation fighting the Iraqi war ... I think that was their wake up call --- payback !

[zarf]

Power to the people. Let's hope they run the ragheads outta Dodge.

[Yardstick]

I wonder how accurate this 100,000 number is.

[JulieRNR21]

[Burkeman1]

A very large and educated young population- coupled with a sad economic state of affairs just might be the recipe for dramatic change and in a western positive direction.

[gorebegone]

....and got them out? Never forget that either!

[Eala]

By comparison it's a small thing, but my photos from the Seattle demonstration last night are finally live at: http://eala.freeservers.com/iranrally/.

[PhilDragoo]

Okay, all in a row for a one-shot trifecta.

As for Jack Straw cutting a deal with these POS's--Jack Straw obviously doesn't know jack sh!t about terrorists.

No deals until all the terrorists are dead.

The Iran nuclear threat approaches--while the CIA snoozes.

The Iran missile force continues to grow--after eight years of Clinton wimping out of sanctions.

The greatest architect of terror in the world is not Iraq--it's Iran.

We have a history with this regime, a history which will only be vindicated with its death.

No more betrayals (a la Budapest, Bay of Pigs, Prague, Iraq insurgents, etc.).

[Valin]

Ping

[Grampa Dave]

Amen to what you posted here:

The greatest architect of terror in the world is not Iraq--it's Iran.

We have a history with this regime, a history which will only be vindicated with its death.

[Grampa Dave]

Keep us posted as this is a non story for most of the left wing mediots who love the Mullahs of Iran.

[freedom44]

Wonderful ping and pictures!
Thanks!