"I had waited thirty years for this"

The authorities, and the Supreme Leader himself in his sermon on Friday, had warned the people that anyone found demonstrating in the streets would be harshly dealt with, and bear responsibility for whatever ensued.
Yet, many Iranians were not cowed by the regime’s stern admonitions, and marched in the streets anyway, even if it meant risking assault and arrest.
The government clearly intended to use the security forces to end, brutally if necessary, the near-daily demonstrations , which it considers an affront to the dignity and authority of the regime, and a potential threat to its viability…
Does the Supreme Leader still command the respect of the people, for thousands simply ignored his injunctions. Their confidence in the regime and its ability or willingness to adequately accommodate their demands is clearly shaken.
The demonstrators attempted to reach Enghlab Square and march to Azadi Square, but the streets to the former were blocked by police both on foot and on motorcycles…
The crowds were much smaller than in preceding days because the regime had clearly stated its intentions to resort to violence…
Some three thousand summoned the courage to march peacefully, and confront the security forces, if need be.
As one protestor told The Guardian:
We were very determined but scared. That is how I can describe the most people who came out to attend the demonstration today. After the fierce speech at the Friday prayers, we knew that today we would be treated differently. We felt so vulnerable, more than ever, but at the same time were aware of our power, which, no matter how influential it is collectively, would have done little to protect us today. We could only take our bones and flesh to the streets and expose them to batons and bullets.
And expose them they did….The demonstrators faced police and paramilitaries with tear gas, water canons and truncheons.
Yet, some police officers seemed to have qualms about inflicting violence on their fellow citizens. Roger Cohen, of the New York Times, heard one police commander shout to demonstrators:
I swear to God, I have children, I have a wife, I don’t want to beat people. Please go home.
As the streets were blocked, the demonstrators sought to head towards Azadi, but were prevented form doing so as well…
But this time, they stood their ground, and the security forces charged:
The streets to Azadi are blocked. But this time, people don't change their path. They fight for it. There's a shower of stones. Tear gas. Fire…People are shouting, 'Down with the dictator'.
Shouts of Down with Khamenei were also heard…
Scores of demonstrators were injured (50 to 60?) yesterday afternoon, and 13 people were killed…
Will the violent suppression of Saturday's march be sufficient to intimidate the protestors and incite them to stop their demonstrations?
That is by no means clear.
One demonstrator told the New York Times:
If they open fire on people and if there is bloodshed, people will get angrier. They are out of their minds if they think with bloodshed they can crush the movement.
The showdown does have potentially dire implications for the regime since its paramount leader ,Ali Khamenei, has decided to take sides, and back the declared winner of the election, one many Iranians believe was rigged. By praising the election and its outcome, Khamenei has transformed himself into an accessory to the crime of betraying the people, who believed in the election and ,therefore, in the system itself…
Khamanei’s stance undermines the very regime he embodies and leads…
What moral authority can he and the nominal president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad still command, as they all head towards the endgame?
For, Mousavi has refused to back down, and accept either the validity or the legitimacy of the election. In a statement on his website Saturday, he wrote:
don't allow lies and cheaters to steal the flag of defending the Islamic system from you.
He seems determined to pursue his strategy of peaceful demonstrations, wherever it may lead, adding that he was ready for martyrdom.
Until the next demonstration, Mousavi supporters will have further opportunities to voice their support and anger, together.
Every evening, at 10pm sharp, the cries rise into the darkness:
Allahu akbar ("God is great");
Marg bar dictator ("Death to the dictator"), just like they did thirty years ago, just before the overthrow of the Shah (here it is, captured on video by the BBC).
One side demands order, the other respect, of its will, as expressed in the ballot box.
Neither seems ready for compromise on its core demands.
As such, can there be any other outcome but repression or revolution, for some Iranians appear absolutely determined to prevail, in the struggle against the Mullah autocracy:
It's no longer about Mousavi or election results, a woman who demonstrated last night, and they were numerous, said. We have suffered for thirty years. We didn't live a life. I had waited thirty years for this. Now I feel relieved, and, perhaps, at last, alive…