Wielding chains, they charged the crowd in the late afternoon.
The Basijis and paramilitaries were determined to clear the streets of all opposition demonstrators.
Yet, some refused to budge, and instead retaliated, throwing bricks, stones, and in some cases, punches: people seemed less fearful compared to previous demonstrations, one protester said. This time, they were fighting back.
The confrontation lasted well into the evening, until finally, an abundant use of tear gas drove away the most recalcitrant participants.
The security forces arrested some 35 people in Tehran, for vandalizing public property…
Interestingly, the regular police did not intervene against the anti-government demonstrators, and at times, even shielded them from attack!
Some police officers actually encouraged the protesters: come on, don't be afraid, one policeman told a demonstrator. Be brave. We die once, and this is worth it.
Quds Day (Quds being Jerusalem in Arabic) is an annual event organized by the authorities designed to show the Iranian nation’s support for the Palestinian cause.
It takes place the last Friday of the Ramadan, the four-week period during which all practicing Muslims fast, and was established in 1979, by Ayatollah Khomeini himself.
This year, the opposition forces led by Mir-Hussein Mousavi, Mehdi Karroubi and former president Mohammad Khatami infiltrated the official ceremonies in order to demonstrate against the regime and president Ahmadinejad, who was fraudulently reelected last June.
The authorities, fearing the possibility that large crowds would attend and disrupt official proceedings had issued dire warnings in the days leading up to the event:
This nation's brave children who are in the security bodies and the police, or in the Revolutionary Guards or the Basij (are ready) to confront firmly any deviation, and anti-revolutionary ... moves, the Revolutionary Guards told the news agency IRNA.
In addition, to ensure that the opposition would have no official platform on this day, the speaker who was to deliver the sermon at Friday prayers, and who had done so on Quds Day for the past twenty-five years, Ali Akbar Rafsanjani, a Mousavi supporter, was replaced by Ahmad Khatami, a conservative cleric close to the president.
Yet, the opposition was not without backing from the clerical establishment. Hassan Khomeini, the grandson of the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Khomeini, attended, explicitly indicating why: Quds Day is international; it is not exclusive to Quds, he said. It is a day for the oppressed to resist against the oppressors.
Hence, the opposition and their supporters transformed the event: no longer just a manifestation of support for the Palestinians, it was also an opportunity to denounce all oppressive governments, including their own.
The Green movement demonstrators initially gathered that morning at Seventh of Tir Square, and made their way toward Tehran University where the Friday prayers were to be held, followed by a speech by Ahmadinejad.
Though subdued at first, as the crowd grew larger it became more exuberant.
Access to the campus was blocked by a ring of public buses, and paramilitaries ensured that no Green trouble makers penetrated in the restricted area.
Mohammad Khatami participating with other demonstrators near Palestine Square, in the vicinity of Tehran University, was assaulted by a group of thugs led by Abolfazl Shriatmadari, whose father is the editor of Kayhan, a pro-government newspaper close to the security apparatus. Protected by the demonstrators, he was quickly taken away to safety.
Mousavi himself was attacked by another pro-government mob at another demonstration, and had to be swiftly driven away from the scene.
Mehdi Karroubi was also present on Friday, and similarly protected by fellow-demonstrators, was not harmed.
Pro-Ahmadinejad demonstrators also marched in large numbers (many were driven to the capital in buses, according to The New York Times) , near the Mousavi supporters clad in Green, the color of the opposition, who flashed V-for-victory signs with their fingers, and vociferously chanted slogans such as death to the dictator, not Gaza, not Lebanon, I’ll die for Iran, and, prior to Ahmadinejad’s speech, liar, liar, and get lost liar.
Even as Ahmadinejad was giving an interview to Iranian television, IRIB’s Channel Two, opposition slogans could be heard in the background, such as Ahmadi, Ahmadi, resign ,resign. As a result, the president quickly put an end to it.
During his vile speech, Ahmadinejad once again displayed his rabid anti-Semitism and hatred of Israel: the existence of the Zionist regime is an insult to human dignity, he said. They just try to support the myth of the Holocaust and at same time they hoist the flag of supporting the Jews.
What were Ahmadinejad’s intentions?
What can he possibly gain by making such ignorant and despicable statements?
Perhaps he deliberately cultivates contempt from abroad, and particularly the West, to spur a nationalist reaction at home, and thus, support for the regime.
In any event, he only further tarnished what was left of his reputation around the world, and countless Iranians were no doubt cringing with shame after the speech.
Furthermore, many in the opposition crowd were not the least interested in his anti-Semitic rants: we are unable to make ends meet as the prices go up and up. Who cares about Israel? 'Down with Israel' does not make jobs for our youths or grow our money, one old man told The Los Angeles Times.
How many opposition demonstrators attended the event?
Over 100,000, and tough they were outnumbered-the regime had done its utmost to mobilize its supporters- the opposition stole the day, to quote The Los Angeles Times.
Equally significant was the fact that opposition demonstrators took to the streets of many other Iranian cities, including Shiraz, Tabriz, Mashhad, Qom and Kermanshah.
The Green movement is obviously still alive and well: I did not expect such a huge number of young people, one student told the LAT. We asserted ourselves and changed the agenda of the day.
The opposition’s grievances not having been addressed, the confrontation continues.
In spite of the Revolutionary Guards’ threats, thousands and thousands of Iranians bravely marched in the streets to vent their anger at their votes being ignored, and demands for justice and democracy dismissed.
And a special tribute must be paid to the fearless women of Iran: the protesters' daring stunned some observers. At one point Friday, a tall woman holding a green balloon flashed the opposition's signature "V" sign with her fingers as she walked nonchalantly past a sidewalk packed with pro-government rally attendees, wrote the LAT.
It will not be easy for the regime to remain oblivious to the demands of people as courageous and determined as this demonstrator was…
That very evening, Green supporters disrupted another event televised across the nation.
The coverage of the soccer game pitting Estghlal against Steel Azin was interrupted, as, in the stadium filled to capacity at 70,000, Moussavi supporters wearing green were clearly heard chanting anti-government slogans. The coverage resumed but in black and white and without sound, before being interrupted again.
The game was finally broadcast, though not live: there was still no sound, and no crowd scenes were shown, only action on the field…
The day’s events clearly indicated that the Green movement has not lost its stamina, will not bow to pressure, intimidation, arrest and abuse…
Further unrest could be only days away …
On the 23rd of September, the nation’s universities reopen for the Fall term…
(the photograph is by Caren Firouz, Reuters)
The Basijis and paramilitaries were determined to clear the streets of all opposition demonstrators.
Yet, some refused to budge, and instead retaliated, throwing bricks, stones, and in some cases, punches: people seemed less fearful compared to previous demonstrations, one protester said. This time, they were fighting back.
The confrontation lasted well into the evening, until finally, an abundant use of tear gas drove away the most recalcitrant participants.
The security forces arrested some 35 people in Tehran, for vandalizing public property…
Interestingly, the regular police did not intervene against the anti-government demonstrators, and at times, even shielded them from attack!
Some police officers actually encouraged the protesters: come on, don't be afraid, one policeman told a demonstrator. Be brave. We die once, and this is worth it.
Quds Day (Quds being Jerusalem in Arabic) is an annual event organized by the authorities designed to show the Iranian nation’s support for the Palestinian cause.
It takes place the last Friday of the Ramadan, the four-week period during which all practicing Muslims fast, and was established in 1979, by Ayatollah Khomeini himself.
This year, the opposition forces led by Mir-Hussein Mousavi, Mehdi Karroubi and former president Mohammad Khatami infiltrated the official ceremonies in order to demonstrate against the regime and president Ahmadinejad, who was fraudulently reelected last June.
The authorities, fearing the possibility that large crowds would attend and disrupt official proceedings had issued dire warnings in the days leading up to the event:
This nation's brave children who are in the security bodies and the police, or in the Revolutionary Guards or the Basij (are ready) to confront firmly any deviation, and anti-revolutionary ... moves, the Revolutionary Guards told the news agency IRNA.
In addition, to ensure that the opposition would have no official platform on this day, the speaker who was to deliver the sermon at Friday prayers, and who had done so on Quds Day for the past twenty-five years, Ali Akbar Rafsanjani, a Mousavi supporter, was replaced by Ahmad Khatami, a conservative cleric close to the president.
Yet, the opposition was not without backing from the clerical establishment. Hassan Khomeini, the grandson of the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Khomeini, attended, explicitly indicating why: Quds Day is international; it is not exclusive to Quds, he said. It is a day for the oppressed to resist against the oppressors.
Hence, the opposition and their supporters transformed the event: no longer just a manifestation of support for the Palestinians, it was also an opportunity to denounce all oppressive governments, including their own.
The Green movement demonstrators initially gathered that morning at Seventh of Tir Square, and made their way toward Tehran University where the Friday prayers were to be held, followed by a speech by Ahmadinejad.
Though subdued at first, as the crowd grew larger it became more exuberant.
Access to the campus was blocked by a ring of public buses, and paramilitaries ensured that no Green trouble makers penetrated in the restricted area.
Mohammad Khatami participating with other demonstrators near Palestine Square, in the vicinity of Tehran University, was assaulted by a group of thugs led by Abolfazl Shriatmadari, whose father is the editor of Kayhan, a pro-government newspaper close to the security apparatus. Protected by the demonstrators, he was quickly taken away to safety.
Mousavi himself was attacked by another pro-government mob at another demonstration, and had to be swiftly driven away from the scene.
Mehdi Karroubi was also present on Friday, and similarly protected by fellow-demonstrators, was not harmed.
Pro-Ahmadinejad demonstrators also marched in large numbers (many were driven to the capital in buses, according to The New York Times) , near the Mousavi supporters clad in Green, the color of the opposition, who flashed V-for-victory signs with their fingers, and vociferously chanted slogans such as death to the dictator, not Gaza, not Lebanon, I’ll die for Iran, and, prior to Ahmadinejad’s speech, liar, liar, and get lost liar.
Even as Ahmadinejad was giving an interview to Iranian television, IRIB’s Channel Two, opposition slogans could be heard in the background, such as Ahmadi, Ahmadi, resign ,resign. As a result, the president quickly put an end to it.
During his vile speech, Ahmadinejad once again displayed his rabid anti-Semitism and hatred of Israel: the existence of the Zionist regime is an insult to human dignity, he said. They just try to support the myth of the Holocaust and at same time they hoist the flag of supporting the Jews.
What were Ahmadinejad’s intentions?
What can he possibly gain by making such ignorant and despicable statements?
Perhaps he deliberately cultivates contempt from abroad, and particularly the West, to spur a nationalist reaction at home, and thus, support for the regime.
In any event, he only further tarnished what was left of his reputation around the world, and countless Iranians were no doubt cringing with shame after the speech.
Furthermore, many in the opposition crowd were not the least interested in his anti-Semitic rants: we are unable to make ends meet as the prices go up and up. Who cares about Israel? 'Down with Israel' does not make jobs for our youths or grow our money, one old man told The Los Angeles Times.
How many opposition demonstrators attended the event?
Over 100,000, and tough they were outnumbered-the regime had done its utmost to mobilize its supporters- the opposition stole the day, to quote The Los Angeles Times.
Equally significant was the fact that opposition demonstrators took to the streets of many other Iranian cities, including Shiraz, Tabriz, Mashhad, Qom and Kermanshah.
The Green movement is obviously still alive and well: I did not expect such a huge number of young people, one student told the LAT. We asserted ourselves and changed the agenda of the day.
The opposition’s grievances not having been addressed, the confrontation continues.
In spite of the Revolutionary Guards’ threats, thousands and thousands of Iranians bravely marched in the streets to vent their anger at their votes being ignored, and demands for justice and democracy dismissed.
And a special tribute must be paid to the fearless women of Iran: the protesters' daring stunned some observers. At one point Friday, a tall woman holding a green balloon flashed the opposition's signature "V" sign with her fingers as she walked nonchalantly past a sidewalk packed with pro-government rally attendees, wrote the LAT.
It will not be easy for the regime to remain oblivious to the demands of people as courageous and determined as this demonstrator was…
That very evening, Green supporters disrupted another event televised across the nation.
The coverage of the soccer game pitting Estghlal against Steel Azin was interrupted, as, in the stadium filled to capacity at 70,000, Moussavi supporters wearing green were clearly heard chanting anti-government slogans. The coverage resumed but in black and white and without sound, before being interrupted again.
The game was finally broadcast, though not live: there was still no sound, and no crowd scenes were shown, only action on the field…
The day’s events clearly indicated that the Green movement has not lost its stamina, will not bow to pressure, intimidation, arrest and abuse…
Further unrest could be only days away …
On the 23rd of September, the nation’s universities reopen for the Fall term…
(the photograph is by Caren Firouz, Reuters)
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