Iran on Edge
Posted by calpolysjpme on June 17, 2009
Exactly a week ago, reformist candidate Mir-Hossein Moussavi had a lead over incumbent President Ahmadinejad and at worst can go to a run-off election. Fast forward to last friday and Ahmadinejad won a landslide 2-1 margin victory. Many in Iran and abroad believe that the election was rigged. This has led to a number of intense protests, the largest ever since the 1979 revolution.
Iranian supporters of presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi attend a protest near the Iranian embassy in Ankara, Turkey
Official news outlets have been hampered by crackdowns on covering the unrest. However, interested parties can get a glimpse of what it’s like on the streets of Tehran via raw video. This clip from the AP shows what looks like an endless stream of protesters marching against the election. Photostreams from sites like Flickr are garnering huge clicks and Twitter feeds on the protests are gaining followers by the minute.
Below, you’ll find a collection of recent events in Iranian streets. Stay tuned for more up-to-the-minute live updates on the political upheaval, from the guardian blog.
Vivid Visionary said
Does SJPME endorse Mousavi? Is this the conclusion?
I think the Iranian people are engaged in an extraordinary moment not because they are protesting against electoral fraud (because all electoral processes under capitalism are spectacles designed to hide the reality of oppression) but because they are rising up against the Islamic Republic and even the capitalist system itself.
It is of no use to support the Iranian people solely on the basis of their vote. We should support (and help create) a movement in stark opposition to BOTH Mousavi and Ahmadinejad; regardless of the different policies they have, they are both representatives of the same oppressive system that keeps women in veils and maintains several other reactionary values.
And please bear in mind the nature of American media, which many time twists and distorts news and information according to what is acceptable to the status quo and American geopolitical interests in the region.
Why spread Mousavi’s message? Why not support and help advance the struggle of Iranians against oppression and exploitation and for real justice and peace (which means opposing both Mousavi and Ahmadinejad).
calpolysjpme said
No. SJPME doesn’t endorse Mir-Hossein Mousavi. The last thing we want to do is take sides from 10,000 miles away.
We are sympathetic to the protesters who are trying their best to get their voice heard despite extreme circumstances. That is why we are trying to raise awareness to their cause using our blog and twitter account. We are mostly likely to host an event(s) this upcoming fall regarding Iran.
We view the recent encouraging mass movements not only as a protest to the election results but also a challenge to the theocratic system.
It’s true that Iranian political system oppresses women. Many in the west view the veil as a sign of oppression but in the Muslim world,it’s viewed as a sign of modesty. I think we should focus more on women rights, equality and freedom rather than their attire.