July 18-19 2009 Iran weekend update
The weekend is usually scarce of news unless something big happens...so I dug up what I could.
Basically the regime is now attacking Rafsanjani because he spoke up against the regime's treatment of the people.
Update: Instead of making a sunday post I just updated this one.
July 17, 2009 post | July 16, 2009 post | July 15, 2009 post | July 14, 2009 post | July 13, 2009 post | July 12, 2009 post | July 11, 2009 post | July 10, 2009 post | July 9, 2009 posts | July 8, 2009 post | July 7, 2009 post | July 6, 2009 post | July 5, 2009 post | July 4, 2009 post
Zahra Rahnavard outside Tehran University on July 17, 2009 during the Friday Sermons
Some interesting ancedotes. Via the Green Briefs #30:
4. In Shiraz during protests on July 9th, one protester served Basijis with iced home-made juice. Reportedly, the juice also contained strong laxatives sending dozens of Basijis back to their barracks.
Someone has a sense of humor.
A small amount of Senna leaf is an effective Colon cleanser (Very strong laxative), and when brewed with tea is nearly undetectable. Iced tea anyone?
12. The crowd gathered at Imam Reza Shrine was mostly composed of government employees, security forces personnel and people who’d been brought to Mashhad by buses from the countryside. It has been confirmed the number of clerics who attended the speech was extremely low. Ayatollah Va’ez Tabasi - one of the senior-most clerics of Mashhad - didn’t even greet Ahmadinejad into the city. It is worth mentioning that he had come out to greet every president before Ahmadinejad who had come to Mashhad after their reelection.
15. Four Tehran University students were also abducted by unknown people from their homes. Iranian lawyer Mohammad Ali Dadkhah has also been arrested by security forces. The whereabouts of the all of these detainees is unknown. It has also been confirmed that three students of Tabriz University who had gone missing a week ago are now in government detention.
19. Reports indicate that even though Evin Prison is overflowing with detainees, more and more people are being brought in to be housed there. A protester who was released recently from the prison said that he was told daily that they would execute him in a couple of days.
Via Green Briefs #31
13. During Ahmadinejad’s speech in Mashhad yesterday, it has been confirmed that many people chanted Allah o Akbar and many people there to hear the speech wore green armbands and headbands.
14. The Participation Front issued a statement today, thanking the Sea of Green for participating in rallies on Friday. The statement also added that the people responsible for the coupe d’état against the people would eventually lose the battle against the will of the people.
18. New reports indicate that at least 36 officers of the Iranian Army have been arrested for participating in Kamyl prayers for detainees and martyrs. They were arrested in Ray city close to Tehran on charges of holding secret meetings and activities pertaining to sabotage.
19. Shadi Sadr - an Iranian lawyer, feminist and journalist - was beaten and arrested while making her way towards the prayers today in Tehran. Later, her house was thoroughly searched by security forces. Her whereabouts are unknown at this point. New reports indicate that yesterday, Roshanak Siyasi - another feminist and reformist activist - was arrested as well. Other detainees from recent days include Ahmad Madadi, Raoof Taheri and Reza Abbasi from Zanjan.
21. I can now confirm the gang rape and death of Taraneh Mousavi. She was a leftist reformist student and was detained by Basijis a few days ago. She was raped repeatedly and her charred body was found in Ghazvin two days ago. Another detainee reportedly died on July 9. The cause of death cannot be ascertained at this point.
22. IRIB censored many of Rafsanjani’s pro-reform remarks and instead focuses all of its attention on his words for unity. Fars News claimed that people were whistling and clapping while Rafsanjani was giving the sermon. IRIB also failed to mention people chanting against China and Russia.
Via Green Briefs #32
1. An event called the “Global Day of Action” is being organized for human rights in Iran by activists throughout the world. This event will take place on July 25th all across the world- in at least 50 cities. Protesters will demand the freedom of all Iranians apprehended, as well as asking the Iranian Government to stop the repression of the Iranian populace. More about this here: http://united4iran.org/
5. In a statement released today, Sayed Mohammad Khatami said that he was unable to join Friday Prayer’s because he “was in Qom holding meetings with prominent clerics.” From the onset of the post-election turmoil, several leaders of the opposition have gone to Qom and held meetings with Ayatollahs. Many Ayatollahs have so far pledged their support for the cause of the protesters.
10. Reports indicate that Iran’s government has plans for systematically removing all “pro-Mousavi” and “anti-Ahmadinejad” professors from Iranian Universities. The first victims of this policy - Dr. Fatimeh Rakeie and Dr. Abdollah Naseri of Tehran’s Az-Zahra University - have been forced to resign their positions. Many faculty members of Az-Zahra had joined Mousavi’s movement recently. The “plan” also encompasses government employees from various ministries. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has created a list of 200 names that have to be ‘purged’ from within the ministry.
12. Dr. Hasan Shiekhabadi, a political activist and journalist, was arrested yesterday from Mahabad in West Azerbaijan Province. Hossein Mousavi (Not to be confused with Mir Hossein Mousavi) and other members of the Participation Front were arrested right before Friday Prayer’s. Three of the members were released, but Hossein Mousavi and many others are still in custody.
13. It has now been confirmed that another detained protester, 18 year old Muhammad Kamrani, has died after being severely tortured by the regime’s security forces. According to sources, Kamrani died on Thursday after being in detention for over a week. Evidently, he was tortured so badly that the “gesture” of transferring him to a hospital proved futile. Reports indicate that even though Kamrani never regained consciousness after his transfer, he was still kept bound in his hospital bed.
16. Tehran Municipality Council has announced that it will be cleaning Azadi Tower. An icon in the city built 38 years ago, Azadi Tower is located in Azadi Square - the scene of many of the protests. According to reports, orders to wash the tower are due to the overwhelming display of anti-government and pro-reform slogans written all over the white tower.
17. Nokia sales are really taking a hit in Tehran as members of the Green Movement have started an active campaign to rid the country of the company’s cell phones. According to sources, members have organized a campaign to stop buying new Nokia cell phones and discard those already in use. Similar campaigns are taking place around the world by other groups of concerned individuals. Reports from yesterday indicate that the County of Los Angeles might not grant Siemens -another company implicated along with Nokia in selling surveillance equipment to the Iranian Government - a business contract because of anger over its role in the regime’s ability to track down dissenters.
Unconfirmed: Roughly translated: Swedish golfer Henrik Stenson showed up at the British Open with a green ribbon at his cap to show his support with the Iranian fight for freedom and humand rights. He has a close friend who is Iranian and moved to Dubai in 1979 and who still has family in Iran, which he feels concern for. Using the broad attention the British Open have worldwide, he felt it was a good opportunity to show that he cares. Asked, whether he has asked for permission to show up at the match with a political statement, he answered "Well, can there be anything wrong with a green ribbon?"
FYI, one of Ahemdi's new titles is "President-Select Mahmoud Ahmadinejad" some of the govt trolls do not like it.
What Bernard Kouchner REALLY said about Iran
More pictures of the Friday Prayers Protest
Tehran Bureau: Vid of Friday Sermon Tehran Riots
Iran.whyweprotest: Vid of Friday Sermon Protests
Wikinews on Rafsanjani's speech
HipHop show in Berlin, in solidarity with the protest movement in Iran
Amnesty International USA: Iranian Petition
Juan Cole <- Guy who interviewed Nico | Rafsanjani's steps to resolve Iran's crisis | Friday's Sermon Fateful for Iran
Khandaniha <- Iranian site that has video of Friday's Sermon in 7 parts
Dynamic Internet Technology <- "Attack the Cyberwalls!: The Internet Is the Pathway to Democracy in Places Like Iran"
Index of 500+ vids of Iranian protests
Rooz online - Eng
Iran protest flickr page
Youtube: peivel17 <- Green Wave channel
Blogs
Keeping the Change | Flash Mobs: A New Twist on Solidarity With Iran by Maryam
Nite Owl's live translations of the Sermon
Pedestrian | July 17, 2009 Friday Sermon | Pictures & Stories | "I was there" | July 18, 2009 Now it is our turn | Unverified Reports <- Qom wants Khamenei to side with protesters
Tehran Bureau: Friday Prayers Update (July 17, 2009)
Peace With Iran <- Blog
Iranian Leftists Report of a female protester 'possibly' gang raped and murdered
Demotix <- The mighty photojournalism site Iran election page pictures of demostrations outside Iranian embassy in London
Mightier Than
ABC reporter jim sciutto's twitblog
LA Times - Babylon & Beyond First images to emerge of July 9, 2009 protests large crowd gets dispersed by teargass on July 9, 2009 protests | July 17, 2009 -> Iran: Human Rights Lawyer Shadi Sadr Arrested | Iran: In Video, anger boils over at Friday Sermon | IRAN: Full text of Rafsanjani's lengthy speech | July 18, 2009 - IRAN: U.S. addresses Tehran unrest in daily briefing | July 19, 2009 Egypt: Cleric backed by Iran charged in Egypt | IRAN: Iranian cleric sees a long-planned conspiracy in protests
iran.whyweprotest.net 18 Tir / 9 July forum thread <- lots of vids and first hand account by a protester in Iran
goftaniha.org Ex-Basij Founder's Blog being used to ID Basij - in Farsi
Ayatollah Watch <- Information on Ayatollahs
Ahmedi's takeover has been planned since 2004
Out the Basij
ID the Basiji
twit blog about how another Ayatollah has gone against the regime
Lara Setrakian - ABC News reporter's blog TEHRAN UNREST: "IT WAS NOTHING LESS THAN WAR. PRAY FOR US."
National Iranian American Council's Blog July 9, 2009 protest coverage <- vids and pics
NY Times - The Lede Blog July 9, 2009 protest coverage | Young election protester buried in Tehran <- a new Martyr
PERSIA.ORG "Struggle for a Free Iran" <- Has dedicated their front page to information on those who have been killed and detained
Iran Negah "Ezclusive views into Iranian politics & society"
University of Texas - Austin "Power of Protest: University experts condemn violence, but urge diplomacy toward Iran"
Keeping the Change | Keeping the Change FB | Nooroz News: Tehran's Morgues Reportedly Holds the Bodies of Hundreds of Dead Protesters
Ndn.org: July 15: Twitter Iran and more impressions from the front lines of the global media revolution
Mohsen Sazegara | explaining what to do and how to do the protests
1- where to go
2- how to do it
3- things to bring
4- what to do at nights
5- slogens to write
6- which marker to write with (green neon marker in this case)
~*~
Retweeters to watch
@LaraABCNews <- Reporter out of Dubai who's been in contact with Iranians
@Pray4FreeIran <- retweeter who spreads messages about Iran
@AustinHeap <- The genius behind ProxyHeap and Haystack (says that Node 1 is a go?)
@StopAdmedi <- twitter account for Mousavi supporters
@nicopitney <- I didn't know he had a twitter account
@Iran_Translator <- NiteOwl
@iranriggedelect
@tehranbereau
@bistoon <- IRGC already actively hunt him b/c of student revolt in 1999 so I can rec him
@nextrevolution
@IranAnon <- Yes it is the Iranian Anonymous crowd
@niacouncil <- National Iranian-American Council
@votersunion
Useful Resources
News: NIAC Insight | Kodoom
Translations: Google Translate | TehranBroadcast.com | Translate4Iran
Helping Iranians use the web: Haystack | Tor Project (English & Farsi) | IranHelp.org (Farsi) Demonstrations: Facebook | sharearchy | WhyWeProtest
Activism: Avaaz.org | National Iranian American Council
Mousavi's main website | Mousavi's backup/English | Mousavi's FB
Haystack's how you can help digg page
Haystack <- The all powerful proxy (still in testing) Want to help? Don't know anything techwise? Then donate some cash and keep this revolution going, you may just save someone(s) life! Haystack is needing donations! Donate Here.
Haystack Network wesbite | Haystack Twitter page | Haystack needs help! |Twitter | FB
Protest Advice
Brainstorm Ideas
Torrent/dl list of videos showing police brutality in Iran
Blog that has links to LA Protest that 35-50,000 people turn out
the pictures
Want to know how the power check system in Iran works? The Wall Street Journal has an excellent graph.
Bearing Witness In Iran Weighs Heavily On Cohen: Roger Cohen on NPR
Voice of the Voiceless
YekIran <- Worldwide Protest Map
Wiki on 18th Tir Protests 1999
Wiki of Iranian Election Protests
Reporters Without Borders <- List of how many reporters are in prison in Iran
Sea of Green Radio <-an 'anon' Iran blog twitter radionomy anonymous Sea of Green radio
Eng Trans of Mousavi FB that has protest instructions and routes
mowjcamp <- Mousavi/Opposition website in Farsi
Mightier Than Iran: The Rooftop Project <- Site trying to find vids of the roof top shoutings for every single night since the protests began.
Iran News <- One Stop Source
for News/YouTube/Blog/Political Cartoon links about Iran's Election and the aftermath (massive library of information)
The Guardian's list of dead and detained
Voice of America News
Iran 360 <- Photojournalism site
Slate's stash of Iran political cartoons
Green cd hour long video from Iran <- Split up into nine parts on iran.whyweprotest.net
Where is My Vote.org <- List or/way of organizing world wide protests
Iran Human Rights
Human Rights Activists In Iran The Latest Update on the Detainees of July 9 and a List of 90 Confirmed in Prison
fivethirtyeight.com: Iran <- Nate Silver "the guru of statistics" input on the validity of the Iranian election outcome
Google News: Iran Election - 30, 700 articles in the past month
Austin for Iran <- Site for organizing protests in Austin Texas
Map of Tehran
Petition for the release of American-Iranian Kian Tajbakhsh
OnlyMehdi Youtube page <- Lots of vids on Iran
United 4 Iran <- Protest page | @united4iran
iran.whyweprotest best articles and links
Iran Solidarity.org.uk
Amnesty International
Share that vid <- Another vid site
Live Leak <- Another vid site
USA SWAT Expert Advice - It might save their lives <- on Iran.whyweprotest forum
vid on How to use police tactics against a baton | more vids on youtube <- For Iranian's in self-defense
Vids of Ahmedinejad speech on July 16, 2009 in Mashaad
~*~
Live Blogs on Iran
The Guardian: July 17, 2009 - Iran Crisis Friday Prayers
Revolutionary Road... <- Live from Tehran UPDATES | Revolution Road FB | Twitter <- Has lots of twitpics of the Friday Sermon Protest
Andrew Sullivan's blog <- Political blog but he has a lot of coverage on iran. Andrew Sullivan's blog "Iran Erupts Again" Counter Targeting the Protesters Abbas Kiarostami's "10" <- Andrew Sullivan has a feature of exhibiting artists and music | Outing Iran: Marg bar <- The real meaning of Marg bar
Enduring America blog | Latest from Iran: July 18 A Victory Followed By....? | Latest from Iran: July 19 Breathing Space
Nico's Pitney's live blog on HuffPo The most excellent live blog out there. Has an absolute ton of information dating back the very first day. Filled with pictures and vids.
Nico's Iran Page (it seems he deleted off the info from July 7th but it can be found here)
Nico moved offices on Friday...I don't think there's a Saturday update
Week of July 13, 2009
July 10, 2009 | July 9, 2009 | July 8th | July 7th | July 6th | July 5th | July 3rd | July 2nd | July 1st | June 30th | June 29th | June 28th | June 27th | June 26th | June 25th | June 24th | June 22nd | June 21st | June 20th pt 2 | June 20th pt 1 | June 19th | June 18th | June 17th | June 16th | June 15th
NiteOwl's Green Briefs <- Anonymous teamed up The Pirate Bay (before they sold out) to provide logistical help to the Iranians in a safe anonymous forum - the vids of Anonymous declaring 'war' on Iranian govt are interesting to watch. NiteOwl's Green Briefs are compilations of news reports straight from Iranians.
Nite Owl's live translations of the Sermon |
Who is Who | Pronouciation Guide
#32 (July 18)
#31 (July 17) | #30 (July 16) | #29 (July 15) | #28 (July 14) | #27 (July 13) | #26 (July 12) | #25 (July 11) | #24 (July 10) | #23 (July 9) | #22 (July 8) | #21 (July 7) | #20 (July 6) | #18-#19 (July 4-5) (NiteOwl's net didn't let him access the archives of twitter (?) so it's late) | #17 (July 3) | #16 (July 2) | #15 (July 1) | #14 (June 30) | #13 (June29) | #12 (June 28) | #11 (June 27) | #10 (June 26th) | #9 (June 25) | #8 (June 24) | #7 (June 23) | #6 (June 22) | #5 (June 21) | #4 (June 20 | #3 (June 19) | #2 (June 18) | #1 (June 17)
Newspaper Articles
Financial Times
Iraq shows its neighbours how to balance state and religion (July 16, 2009 - Anthony Shadid)
The Guardian
Chinese security forces admit shooting dead 12 Uighur rioters (July 18, 2009 - Tania Branigan)
Iraq's forgotten crisis (July 18, 2009 - James Denselow)
Iran: Words to heed (July 18, 2009 - Op-Ed)
Clashes in Tehran as Hashemi Rafsanjani warns Regime (July 17, 2009 - Ian Black)
Thirty-six army officers arrested in Iran over protest plan (July 19, 2009 - Robert Tait)
Taking control of Nuclear (July 19, 2009 - Mohammed ElBaradei)
Iran crisis has nuclear fallout (July 19, 2009 - Meir Javedanfar)
Tehran Bureau
Video of Tehran Riots
Prayers Make History (July 18, 2009)
As with other such days, I felt a dual sense of fear and fervor, heightened by the uncertainty of whether people would turn out or not. I arranged to go with friends, because the past month’s experiences have taught me that going alone is unsafe. I remembered to put my name and number on a piece of paper in my pocket so if anything happens to me, my family can be notified.
Two kilometers left to the venue: Tehran University Prayer Hall
Traffic was locked in a vast river of pedestrians evidently headed toward our destination. Green smiled at us from shawls and wristbands and banners. Seeing this scene, reminiscent of June 15’s massive march, my concern that people would not come evaporated.
We parked and coalesced with the procession in the baking midday heat. They came in all types: hipster with a rainbow-cannabis medallion resting on his open neck, a family with a ten-year-old child, women in that Islamic Iran archetype black chador, scruffy-looking men, laborers, girls in sunglasses, senior citizens. Despite their differences, they all shared an aura of excitement. Some were holding small radios to tune in to Hashemi Rafsanjani’s sermon.
We passed policemen (the ordinary kind) along the way, and behind them, buses ready for the day’s batch of prisoners. Although defiant “V” signs were in full view, the officers stayed immobile.
Strangers chatted about what Rafsanjani might say and expressed happiness at the turnout. The non-religious asked the religious about how to execute namaz (prayers). For many, it was their first time at this decades-long public ritual.
* * *
When the sermon began, my friends and I were on Keshavarz Boulevard, which borders the north side of the university campus. People had spread newspapers and prayer mats on the street and sidewalks and sat on them, listening to their radios, which were tuned in to Friday Prayers.
We threaded our way farther down to get closer to the loudspeakers. Turning onto 16 Azar Street, we found a shaded spot near the west campus gate, and spread out sheets of newspaper to sit on. A thoughtful lady was handing them out to those, like us, who had come unprepared.
Most of those seated near and around us were religious types: chador-clad women, pious-looking men, and among them even a cleric. During the first part of the sermon, Rafsanjani recounted a historic narrative where Prophet Mohammad advises Imam Ali [the first Shia leader], “If people are not satisfied with your governance, you must withdraw and let people decide their governor.” At this, an approving cry of Allah-o-Akbar arose. Some in the crowd, obviously novices unfamiliar with the conventions of Friday Prayer, began applauding and whistling. Pro-Mousavi unity aside, I feared that the religious men and women sitting nearby would take offense at this inappropriate behavior. But they merely tittered - and astonishingly, the cleric was clapping along! Once I saw this, I had no qualms about joining in the applause.
I overheard a chador-clad middle-aged woman sitting next to me tell her teenage daughter, who also wore a chador, “Imam Ali would submit to the desire of the people, but this Agha [the title for Khamenei] believes himself to be above even Imam Ali!” The daughter replied, “But I’m still not satisfied. Hashemi should speak more openly!”
When Hashemi referred to the slaughter of Muslims in China, the air rippled with “Death to China!” This was interesting because Ahmadinejad’s camp and state media have defended the Chinese government over the course of that country’s recent unrest; hence, “Death to China” acted as surrogate for “Death to Ahmadinejad.”
When Hashemi said things people liked, they chanted “Hashemi, Hashemi, we support you!” or “Ya Hossein, Mir Hossein!”
An elderly lady standing some distance away shouted “Death to Opponents [of supreme leader Ali Khamenei]!” thus revealing herself to be an Ahmadinejad supporter. Several people wanted to rebuke her, but others reminded them that everyone is entitled to have a voice in this. The best censure was the fact that her slogans found no echoes.
The loudest chants broke out when Hashemi touched on the subject of post-election detainees. “POLITICAL PRISONERS MUST BE FREED!” - the din was such that Hashemi had to cut it off with “Well, that’s what I’m saying …” He added, with an amused air, “I’m saying it better than you.”
Another phenomenal spectacle, a first in the history of Friday Prayers in Iran (and perhaps in a large part of the Muslim world), men and women were not segregated. Thy prayed side by side. This did not appear to offend the religious-minded; they seemed to accept the situation. Women and girls who by Sharia law can pray only when covered with a prayer-chador were doing so in short manteaux, and this too did not upset the religious-minded. In fact, they were probably happy to see non-religious girls and women praying at all.
Personally, as an atheist, I’ve always found it difficult to socialize with the religious masses. For the first time in my life, however, I really enjoyed being among my religious compatriots. I even tried to behave in such a way as to avoid causing them any discomforrt or disrespect.
When prayers began, my friends and I got up to look for a grocery store to buy water. Unseasonably, we heard Allah-o-Akbar sounding from one street over. I was dismayed that people would shout slogans amid the quiet hush of prayer. As we moved toward the sound, our eyes began to sting, and upon enquiry, the incredible met our ears: Security forces had thrown tear gas among the prayer-makers. “God is Greater!” had been the collective response, and after fumes dispelled, people had resumed their praying.
Los Angeles Times
Babylon & Beyond blog: IRAN: U.S. addresses Tehran unrest in daily briefing (July 18, 2009)
Iranian protesters galvanized by sermon (July 18, 2009 - Borzou Daragahi and Ramin Mostaghim)
Iran vice president resigns under pressure from hard-liners (July 19, 2009 - Borzou Daragahi)
Babylon & Beyond blog: Egypt: Cleric backed by Iran charged in Egypt (July 19, 2009)
Babylon & Beyond: Iran: Iranian cleric sees a long-planned conspiracy in protests (July 19, 2009)
MTA takes issue with potential contractor's ties with Iran (July 18, 2009 - Dan Weikel)
New York Times
Chinese Question Police Absence in Ethnic Riots (July 17, 2009 - Edward Wong)
Tehran Losing Iranian's Trust, Ex-Leader Says (July 17, 2009 - Robert F. Worth)
China Shuts Down Office of Volunteer Lawyers (July 17, 2009 - Edward Wong)
Iran’s Ex- President Criticized for Comments About Election (July 18, 2009 - Robert F. Worth)
Iranian Critic Quotes Kohomeini Principles (July 18, 2009 - Elaine Sciolino)
Christian Science Monitor
Does US road to better relations with Iran pass through India? (July 18, 2009 - Howard LaFranchi)
Times Online
Tehran tortured British writer (July 19, 2009 - Marie Colvin)
Huffington Post
Iran: Regime Intentions Revealed - What's Next? (July 18, 2009 - Mark Fowler)
Esfandiar Rahim Mashaie Appointed Iran's First Vice President (July 17, 2009 - AFP
Iranian Diaspora and the Green Wave Revival (July 17, 2009 - Sara Dehghan)
Iran's Unresolved Revolution (July 17, 2009 - Lydia Khalil)
A Cry for Help: An Open Letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper (July 18, 2009 - Shirin Neshat)
Why The ICC Should Speak Out on Iran (July 18, 2009 - Christopher Santora and Gissou Azarnia)
Listening for the Truth about Iran (July 17, 2009 - David A. Harris)
What Should A New American Policy Toward Iran Look Like? (July 16, 2009 - Sam Sedaei)
Hey DJ Rafsanjani, Play Us Some Ayatollah Khomeini (July 16, 2009 - Melody Moezzi)
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Starting a Revolt in 140 characters (July 18, 2009 - Erwin Oliva)
Wall Street Journal
Iran Cleric Faults Government's Handling of Unrest (July 18, 2009 - CHIP CUMMINS and ROSHANAK TAGHAVI)
Let's Help Iranians Beat the Censors: From satellite phones to Internet hacking, the U.S. can make a difference. (July 17, 2009 - OpEd JEREMY RABKIN and ARIEL RABKIN)
AFP
West must close Iran nuclear file: new atomic chief (July 18, 2009)
Baltimore Jewish Times
Clinton: Iran Outreach Not Open-Ended
CNN
Group: Human rights lawyer detained as Iran unrest spirals
Jerusalem Post
'I wed Iranian girls before execution' (July 19, 2009 - SABINA AMIDI)
When he was 16, "my mother took me to a Basiji station and begged them to take me under their wing because I had no one and nothing foreseeable in my future. My father was martyred during the war in Iraq and she did not want me to get hooked on drugs and become a street thug. I had no choice," he said.
He said he had been a highly regarded member of the force, and had so "impressed my superiors" that, at 18, "I was given the 'honor' to temporarily marry young girls before they were sentenced to death."
In the Islamic Republic it is illegal to execute a young woman, regardless of her crime, if she is a virgin, he explained. Therefore a "wedding" ceremony is conducted the night before the execution: The young girl is forced to have sexual intercourse with a prison guard - essentially raped by her "husband."
"I regret that, even though the marriages were legal," he said.
Why the regret, if the marriages were "legal?"
"Because," he went on, "I could tell that the girls were more afraid of their 'wedding' night than of the execution that awaited them in the morning. And they would always fight back, so we would have to put sleeping pills in their food. By morning the girls would have an empty expression; it seemed like they were ready or wanted to die.
"I remember hearing them cry and scream after [the rape] was over," he said. "I will never forget how this one girl clawed at her own face and neck with her finger nails afterwards. She had deep scratches all over her."
Tehran Times
Opposition grows to appointment of new first VP (July 19, 2009)
Star Tribune <- Minneapolis-St.Paul Minnesota
Iran linked to Guard deaths: A militia member arrested by Iraqis has admitted firing the missile that killed 3 Minnesotans. (July 19, 2009 - Dee DePass
USA Today
Hard-liners accuse top Iranian cleric of defiance (July 18, 2009 - AP)
Vids
Traditional Revolutionary song revamped
Music vid mashup - The Hand Lyrics found here
Russian flag burned during Friday Sermon Protests
How to disable Basiji motorcycles
Music dedication vid to Sohrab A'rabi
Via an anon poster from here
Funniest boldest slogan in a bus by a WOMAN!!!!
I could not believe this. LOL
Now it's hard to translate this but I'll try.
Tup Tank Feshfeshe,
Ahmadinejad kos keshe.
Translating:
Tup = Cannon or football(sport)
Tank = Tank(army)
Feshfeshe = fireworks
Ahmadinejad = Ahmadinejad
kos keshe = is a pimp
But the funny part is the bad word we use to say pimp.
Kos means p***y in persian. LOL
You don't say that in public in an islamic country SPECIALLY if you are a woman.
More green scroll vids
P.S. does anyone know why on some vids that the sound cuts off?
Basically the regime is now attacking Rafsanjani because he spoke up against the regime's treatment of the people.
Update: Instead of making a sunday post I just updated this one.
July 17, 2009 post | July 16, 2009 post | July 15, 2009 post | July 14, 2009 post | July 13, 2009 post | July 12, 2009 post | July 11, 2009 post | July 10, 2009 post | July 9, 2009 posts | July 8, 2009 post | July 7, 2009 post | July 6, 2009 post | July 5, 2009 post | July 4, 2009 post
Zahra Rahnavard outside Tehran University on July 17, 2009 during the Friday Sermons
Some interesting ancedotes. Via the Green Briefs #30:
4. In Shiraz during protests on July 9th, one protester served Basijis with iced home-made juice. Reportedly, the juice also contained strong laxatives sending dozens of Basijis back to their barracks.
Someone has a sense of humor.
A small amount of Senna leaf is an effective Colon cleanser (Very strong laxative), and when brewed with tea is nearly undetectable. Iced tea anyone?
12. The crowd gathered at Imam Reza Shrine was mostly composed of government employees, security forces personnel and people who’d been brought to Mashhad by buses from the countryside. It has been confirmed the number of clerics who attended the speech was extremely low. Ayatollah Va’ez Tabasi - one of the senior-most clerics of Mashhad - didn’t even greet Ahmadinejad into the city. It is worth mentioning that he had come out to greet every president before Ahmadinejad who had come to Mashhad after their reelection.
15. Four Tehran University students were also abducted by unknown people from their homes. Iranian lawyer Mohammad Ali Dadkhah has also been arrested by security forces. The whereabouts of the all of these detainees is unknown. It has also been confirmed that three students of Tabriz University who had gone missing a week ago are now in government detention.
19. Reports indicate that even though Evin Prison is overflowing with detainees, more and more people are being brought in to be housed there. A protester who was released recently from the prison said that he was told daily that they would execute him in a couple of days.
Via Green Briefs #31
13. During Ahmadinejad’s speech in Mashhad yesterday, it has been confirmed that many people chanted Allah o Akbar and many people there to hear the speech wore green armbands and headbands.
14. The Participation Front issued a statement today, thanking the Sea of Green for participating in rallies on Friday. The statement also added that the people responsible for the coupe d’état against the people would eventually lose the battle against the will of the people.
18. New reports indicate that at least 36 officers of the Iranian Army have been arrested for participating in Kamyl prayers for detainees and martyrs. They were arrested in Ray city close to Tehran on charges of holding secret meetings and activities pertaining to sabotage.
19. Shadi Sadr - an Iranian lawyer, feminist and journalist - was beaten and arrested while making her way towards the prayers today in Tehran. Later, her house was thoroughly searched by security forces. Her whereabouts are unknown at this point. New reports indicate that yesterday, Roshanak Siyasi - another feminist and reformist activist - was arrested as well. Other detainees from recent days include Ahmad Madadi, Raoof Taheri and Reza Abbasi from Zanjan.
21. I can now confirm the gang rape and death of Taraneh Mousavi. She was a leftist reformist student and was detained by Basijis a few days ago. She was raped repeatedly and her charred body was found in Ghazvin two days ago. Another detainee reportedly died on July 9. The cause of death cannot be ascertained at this point.
22. IRIB censored many of Rafsanjani’s pro-reform remarks and instead focuses all of its attention on his words for unity. Fars News claimed that people were whistling and clapping while Rafsanjani was giving the sermon. IRIB also failed to mention people chanting against China and Russia.
Via Green Briefs #32
1. An event called the “Global Day of Action” is being organized for human rights in Iran by activists throughout the world. This event will take place on July 25th all across the world- in at least 50 cities. Protesters will demand the freedom of all Iranians apprehended, as well as asking the Iranian Government to stop the repression of the Iranian populace. More about this here: http://united4iran.org/
5. In a statement released today, Sayed Mohammad Khatami said that he was unable to join Friday Prayer’s because he “was in Qom holding meetings with prominent clerics.” From the onset of the post-election turmoil, several leaders of the opposition have gone to Qom and held meetings with Ayatollahs. Many Ayatollahs have so far pledged their support for the cause of the protesters.
10. Reports indicate that Iran’s government has plans for systematically removing all “pro-Mousavi” and “anti-Ahmadinejad” professors from Iranian Universities. The first victims of this policy - Dr. Fatimeh Rakeie and Dr. Abdollah Naseri of Tehran’s Az-Zahra University - have been forced to resign their positions. Many faculty members of Az-Zahra had joined Mousavi’s movement recently. The “plan” also encompasses government employees from various ministries. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has created a list of 200 names that have to be ‘purged’ from within the ministry.
12. Dr. Hasan Shiekhabadi, a political activist and journalist, was arrested yesterday from Mahabad in West Azerbaijan Province. Hossein Mousavi (Not to be confused with Mir Hossein Mousavi) and other members of the Participation Front were arrested right before Friday Prayer’s. Three of the members were released, but Hossein Mousavi and many others are still in custody.
13. It has now been confirmed that another detained protester, 18 year old Muhammad Kamrani, has died after being severely tortured by the regime’s security forces. According to sources, Kamrani died on Thursday after being in detention for over a week. Evidently, he was tortured so badly that the “gesture” of transferring him to a hospital proved futile. Reports indicate that even though Kamrani never regained consciousness after his transfer, he was still kept bound in his hospital bed.
16. Tehran Municipality Council has announced that it will be cleaning Azadi Tower. An icon in the city built 38 years ago, Azadi Tower is located in Azadi Square - the scene of many of the protests. According to reports, orders to wash the tower are due to the overwhelming display of anti-government and pro-reform slogans written all over the white tower.
17. Nokia sales are really taking a hit in Tehran as members of the Green Movement have started an active campaign to rid the country of the company’s cell phones. According to sources, members have organized a campaign to stop buying new Nokia cell phones and discard those already in use. Similar campaigns are taking place around the world by other groups of concerned individuals. Reports from yesterday indicate that the County of Los Angeles might not grant Siemens -another company implicated along with Nokia in selling surveillance equipment to the Iranian Government - a business contract because of anger over its role in the regime’s ability to track down dissenters.
Unconfirmed: Roughly translated: Swedish golfer Henrik Stenson showed up at the British Open with a green ribbon at his cap to show his support with the Iranian fight for freedom and humand rights. He has a close friend who is Iranian and moved to Dubai in 1979 and who still has family in Iran, which he feels concern for. Using the broad attention the British Open have worldwide, he felt it was a good opportunity to show that he cares. Asked, whether he has asked for permission to show up at the match with a political statement, he answered "Well, can there be anything wrong with a green ribbon?"
FYI, one of Ahemdi's new titles is "President-Select Mahmoud Ahmadinejad" some of the govt trolls do not like it.
What Bernard Kouchner REALLY said about Iran
More pictures of the Friday Prayers Protest
Tehran Bureau: Vid of Friday Sermon Tehran Riots
Iran.whyweprotest: Vid of Friday Sermon Protests
Wikinews on Rafsanjani's speech
HipHop show in Berlin, in solidarity with the protest movement in Iran
Amnesty International USA: Iranian Petition
Juan Cole <- Guy who interviewed Nico | Rafsanjani's steps to resolve Iran's crisis | Friday's Sermon Fateful for Iran
Khandaniha <- Iranian site that has video of Friday's Sermon in 7 parts
Dynamic Internet Technology <- "Attack the Cyberwalls!: The Internet Is the Pathway to Democracy in Places Like Iran"
Index of 500+ vids of Iranian protests
Rooz online - Eng
Iran protest flickr page
Youtube: peivel17 <- Green Wave channel
Blogs
Keeping the Change | Flash Mobs: A New Twist on Solidarity With Iran by Maryam
Nite Owl's live translations of the Sermon
Pedestrian | July 17, 2009 Friday Sermon | Pictures & Stories | "I was there" | July 18, 2009 Now it is our turn | Unverified Reports <- Qom wants Khamenei to side with protesters
Tehran Bureau: Friday Prayers Update (July 17, 2009)
Peace With Iran <- Blog
Iranian Leftists Report of a female protester 'possibly' gang raped and murdered
Demotix <- The mighty photojournalism site Iran election page pictures of demostrations outside Iranian embassy in London
Mightier Than
ABC reporter jim sciutto's twitblog
LA Times - Babylon & Beyond First images to emerge of July 9, 2009 protests large crowd gets dispersed by teargass on July 9, 2009 protests | July 17, 2009 -> Iran: Human Rights Lawyer Shadi Sadr Arrested | Iran: In Video, anger boils over at Friday Sermon | IRAN: Full text of Rafsanjani's lengthy speech | July 18, 2009 - IRAN: U.S. addresses Tehran unrest in daily briefing | July 19, 2009 Egypt: Cleric backed by Iran charged in Egypt | IRAN: Iranian cleric sees a long-planned conspiracy in protests
iran.whyweprotest.net 18 Tir / 9 July forum thread <- lots of vids and first hand account by a protester in Iran
goftaniha.org Ex-Basij Founder's Blog being used to ID Basij - in Farsi
Ayatollah Watch <- Information on Ayatollahs
Ahmedi's takeover has been planned since 2004
Out the Basij
ID the Basiji
twit blog about how another Ayatollah has gone against the regime
Lara Setrakian - ABC News reporter's blog TEHRAN UNREST: "IT WAS NOTHING LESS THAN WAR. PRAY FOR US."
National Iranian American Council's Blog July 9, 2009 protest coverage <- vids and pics
NY Times - The Lede Blog July 9, 2009 protest coverage | Young election protester buried in Tehran <- a new Martyr
PERSIA.ORG "Struggle for a Free Iran" <- Has dedicated their front page to information on those who have been killed and detained
Iran Negah "Ezclusive views into Iranian politics & society"
University of Texas - Austin "Power of Protest: University experts condemn violence, but urge diplomacy toward Iran"
Keeping the Change | Keeping the Change FB | Nooroz News: Tehran's Morgues Reportedly Holds the Bodies of Hundreds of Dead Protesters
Ndn.org: July 15: Twitter Iran and more impressions from the front lines of the global media revolution
Mohsen Sazegara | explaining what to do and how to do the protests
1- where to go
2- how to do it
3- things to bring
4- what to do at nights
5- slogens to write
6- which marker to write with (green neon marker in this case)
~*~
Retweeters to watch
@LaraABCNews <- Reporter out of Dubai who's been in contact with Iranians
@Pray4FreeIran <- retweeter who spreads messages about Iran
@AustinHeap <- The genius behind ProxyHeap and Haystack (says that Node 1 is a go?)
@StopAdmedi <- twitter account for Mousavi supporters
@nicopitney <- I didn't know he had a twitter account
@Iran_Translator <- NiteOwl
@iranriggedelect
@tehranbereau
@bistoon <- IRGC already actively hunt him b/c of student revolt in 1999 so I can rec him
@nextrevolution
@IranAnon <- Yes it is the Iranian Anonymous crowd
@niacouncil <- National Iranian-American Council
@votersunion
Useful Resources
News: NIAC Insight | Kodoom
Translations: Google Translate | TehranBroadcast.com | Translate4Iran
Helping Iranians use the web: Haystack | Tor Project (English & Farsi) | IranHelp.org (Farsi) Demonstrations: Facebook | sharearchy | WhyWeProtest
Activism: Avaaz.org | National Iranian American Council
Mousavi's main website | Mousavi's backup/English | Mousavi's FB
Haystack's how you can help digg page
Haystack <- The all powerful proxy (still in testing) Want to help? Don't know anything techwise? Then donate some cash and keep this revolution going, you may just save someone(s) life! Haystack is needing donations! Donate Here.
Haystack Network wesbite | Haystack Twitter page | Haystack needs help! |Twitter | FB
Protest Advice
Brainstorm Ideas
Torrent/dl list of videos showing police brutality in Iran
Blog that has links to LA Protest that 35-50,000 people turn out
the pictures
Want to know how the power check system in Iran works? The Wall Street Journal has an excellent graph.
Bearing Witness In Iran Weighs Heavily On Cohen: Roger Cohen on NPR
Voice of the Voiceless
YekIran <- Worldwide Protest Map
Wiki on 18th Tir Protests 1999
Wiki of Iranian Election Protests
Reporters Without Borders <- List of how many reporters are in prison in Iran
Sea of Green Radio <-an 'anon' Iran blog twitter radionomy anonymous Sea of Green radio
Eng Trans of Mousavi FB that has protest instructions and routes
mowjcamp <- Mousavi/Opposition website in Farsi
Mightier Than Iran: The Rooftop Project <- Site trying to find vids of the roof top shoutings for every single night since the protests began.
Iran News <- One Stop Source
for News/YouTube/Blog/Political Cartoon links about Iran's Election and the aftermath (massive library of information)
The Guardian's list of dead and detained
Voice of America News
Iran 360 <- Photojournalism site
Slate's stash of Iran political cartoons
Green cd hour long video from Iran <- Split up into nine parts on iran.whyweprotest.net
Where is My Vote.org <- List or/way of organizing world wide protests
Iran Human Rights
Human Rights Activists In Iran The Latest Update on the Detainees of July 9 and a List of 90 Confirmed in Prison
fivethirtyeight.com: Iran <- Nate Silver "the guru of statistics" input on the validity of the Iranian election outcome
Google News: Iran Election - 30, 700 articles in the past month
Austin for Iran <- Site for organizing protests in Austin Texas
Map of Tehran
Petition for the release of American-Iranian Kian Tajbakhsh
OnlyMehdi Youtube page <- Lots of vids on Iran
United 4 Iran <- Protest page | @united4iran
iran.whyweprotest best articles and links
Iran Solidarity.org.uk
Amnesty International
Share that vid <- Another vid site
Live Leak <- Another vid site
USA SWAT Expert Advice - It might save their lives <- on Iran.whyweprotest forum
vid on How to use police tactics against a baton | more vids on youtube <- For Iranian's in self-defense
Vids of Ahmedinejad speech on July 16, 2009 in Mashaad
~*~
Live Blogs on Iran
The Guardian: July 17, 2009 - Iran Crisis Friday Prayers
Revolutionary Road... <- Live from Tehran UPDATES | Revolution Road FB | Twitter <- Has lots of twitpics of the Friday Sermon Protest
Andrew Sullivan's blog <- Political blog but he has a lot of coverage on iran. Andrew Sullivan's blog "Iran Erupts Again" Counter Targeting the Protesters Abbas Kiarostami's "10" <- Andrew Sullivan has a feature of exhibiting artists and music | Outing Iran: Marg bar <- The real meaning of Marg bar
Enduring America blog | Latest from Iran: July 18 A Victory Followed By....? | Latest from Iran: July 19 Breathing Space
Nico's Pitney's live blog on HuffPo The most excellent live blog out there. Has an absolute ton of information dating back the very first day. Filled with pictures and vids.
Nico's Iran Page (it seems he deleted off the info from July 7th but it can be found here)
Nico moved offices on Friday...I don't think there's a Saturday update
Week of July 13, 2009
July 10, 2009 | July 9, 2009 | July 8th | July 7th | July 6th | July 5th | July 3rd | July 2nd | July 1st | June 30th | June 29th | June 28th | June 27th | June 26th | June 25th | June 24th | June 22nd | June 21st | June 20th pt 2 | June 20th pt 1 | June 19th | June 18th | June 17th | June 16th | June 15th
NiteOwl's Green Briefs <- Anonymous teamed up The Pirate Bay (before they sold out) to provide logistical help to the Iranians in a safe anonymous forum - the vids of Anonymous declaring 'war' on Iranian govt are interesting to watch. NiteOwl's Green Briefs are compilations of news reports straight from Iranians.
Nite Owl's live translations of the Sermon |
Who is Who | Pronouciation Guide
#32 (July 18)
#31 (July 17) | #30 (July 16) | #29 (July 15) | #28 (July 14) | #27 (July 13) | #26 (July 12) | #25 (July 11) | #24 (July 10) | #23 (July 9) | #22 (July 8) | #21 (July 7) | #20 (July 6) | #18-#19 (July 4-5) (NiteOwl's net didn't let him access the archives of twitter (?) so it's late) | #17 (July 3) | #16 (July 2) | #15 (July 1) | #14 (June 30) | #13 (June29) | #12 (June 28) | #11 (June 27) | #10 (June 26th) | #9 (June 25) | #8 (June 24) | #7 (June 23) | #6 (June 22) | #5 (June 21) | #4 (June 20 | #3 (June 19) | #2 (June 18) | #1 (June 17)
Newspaper Articles
Financial Times
Iraq shows its neighbours how to balance state and religion (July 16, 2009 - Anthony Shadid)
The Guardian
Chinese security forces admit shooting dead 12 Uighur rioters (July 18, 2009 - Tania Branigan)
Iraq's forgotten crisis (July 18, 2009 - James Denselow)
Iran: Words to heed (July 18, 2009 - Op-Ed)
Clashes in Tehran as Hashemi Rafsanjani warns Regime (July 17, 2009 - Ian Black)
Thirty-six army officers arrested in Iran over protest plan (July 19, 2009 - Robert Tait)
Taking control of Nuclear (July 19, 2009 - Mohammed ElBaradei)
Iran crisis has nuclear fallout (July 19, 2009 - Meir Javedanfar)
Tehran Bureau
Video of Tehran Riots
Prayers Make History (July 18, 2009)
As with other such days, I felt a dual sense of fear and fervor, heightened by the uncertainty of whether people would turn out or not. I arranged to go with friends, because the past month’s experiences have taught me that going alone is unsafe. I remembered to put my name and number on a piece of paper in my pocket so if anything happens to me, my family can be notified.
Two kilometers left to the venue: Tehran University Prayer Hall
Traffic was locked in a vast river of pedestrians evidently headed toward our destination. Green smiled at us from shawls and wristbands and banners. Seeing this scene, reminiscent of June 15’s massive march, my concern that people would not come evaporated.
We parked and coalesced with the procession in the baking midday heat. They came in all types: hipster with a rainbow-cannabis medallion resting on his open neck, a family with a ten-year-old child, women in that Islamic Iran archetype black chador, scruffy-looking men, laborers, girls in sunglasses, senior citizens. Despite their differences, they all shared an aura of excitement. Some were holding small radios to tune in to Hashemi Rafsanjani’s sermon.
We passed policemen (the ordinary kind) along the way, and behind them, buses ready for the day’s batch of prisoners. Although defiant “V” signs were in full view, the officers stayed immobile.
Strangers chatted about what Rafsanjani might say and expressed happiness at the turnout. The non-religious asked the religious about how to execute namaz (prayers). For many, it was their first time at this decades-long public ritual.
* * *
When the sermon began, my friends and I were on Keshavarz Boulevard, which borders the north side of the university campus. People had spread newspapers and prayer mats on the street and sidewalks and sat on them, listening to their radios, which were tuned in to Friday Prayers.
We threaded our way farther down to get closer to the loudspeakers. Turning onto 16 Azar Street, we found a shaded spot near the west campus gate, and spread out sheets of newspaper to sit on. A thoughtful lady was handing them out to those, like us, who had come unprepared.
Most of those seated near and around us were religious types: chador-clad women, pious-looking men, and among them even a cleric. During the first part of the sermon, Rafsanjani recounted a historic narrative where Prophet Mohammad advises Imam Ali [the first Shia leader], “If people are not satisfied with your governance, you must withdraw and let people decide their governor.” At this, an approving cry of Allah-o-Akbar arose. Some in the crowd, obviously novices unfamiliar with the conventions of Friday Prayer, began applauding and whistling. Pro-Mousavi unity aside, I feared that the religious men and women sitting nearby would take offense at this inappropriate behavior. But they merely tittered - and astonishingly, the cleric was clapping along! Once I saw this, I had no qualms about joining in the applause.
I overheard a chador-clad middle-aged woman sitting next to me tell her teenage daughter, who also wore a chador, “Imam Ali would submit to the desire of the people, but this Agha [the title for Khamenei] believes himself to be above even Imam Ali!” The daughter replied, “But I’m still not satisfied. Hashemi should speak more openly!”
When Hashemi referred to the slaughter of Muslims in China, the air rippled with “Death to China!” This was interesting because Ahmadinejad’s camp and state media have defended the Chinese government over the course of that country’s recent unrest; hence, “Death to China” acted as surrogate for “Death to Ahmadinejad.”
When Hashemi said things people liked, they chanted “Hashemi, Hashemi, we support you!” or “Ya Hossein, Mir Hossein!”
An elderly lady standing some distance away shouted “Death to Opponents [of supreme leader Ali Khamenei]!” thus revealing herself to be an Ahmadinejad supporter. Several people wanted to rebuke her, but others reminded them that everyone is entitled to have a voice in this. The best censure was the fact that her slogans found no echoes.
The loudest chants broke out when Hashemi touched on the subject of post-election detainees. “POLITICAL PRISONERS MUST BE FREED!” - the din was such that Hashemi had to cut it off with “Well, that’s what I’m saying …” He added, with an amused air, “I’m saying it better than you.”
Another phenomenal spectacle, a first in the history of Friday Prayers in Iran (and perhaps in a large part of the Muslim world), men and women were not segregated. Thy prayed side by side. This did not appear to offend the religious-minded; they seemed to accept the situation. Women and girls who by Sharia law can pray only when covered with a prayer-chador were doing so in short manteaux, and this too did not upset the religious-minded. In fact, they were probably happy to see non-religious girls and women praying at all.
Personally, as an atheist, I’ve always found it difficult to socialize with the religious masses. For the first time in my life, however, I really enjoyed being among my religious compatriots. I even tried to behave in such a way as to avoid causing them any discomforrt or disrespect.
When prayers began, my friends and I got up to look for a grocery store to buy water. Unseasonably, we heard Allah-o-Akbar sounding from one street over. I was dismayed that people would shout slogans amid the quiet hush of prayer. As we moved toward the sound, our eyes began to sting, and upon enquiry, the incredible met our ears: Security forces had thrown tear gas among the prayer-makers. “God is Greater!” had been the collective response, and after fumes dispelled, people had resumed their praying.
Los Angeles Times
Babylon & Beyond blog: IRAN: U.S. addresses Tehran unrest in daily briefing (July 18, 2009)
Iranian protesters galvanized by sermon (July 18, 2009 - Borzou Daragahi and Ramin Mostaghim)
Iran vice president resigns under pressure from hard-liners (July 19, 2009 - Borzou Daragahi)
Babylon & Beyond blog: Egypt: Cleric backed by Iran charged in Egypt (July 19, 2009)
Babylon & Beyond: Iran: Iranian cleric sees a long-planned conspiracy in protests (July 19, 2009)
MTA takes issue with potential contractor's ties with Iran (July 18, 2009 - Dan Weikel)
New York Times
Chinese Question Police Absence in Ethnic Riots (July 17, 2009 - Edward Wong)
Tehran Losing Iranian's Trust, Ex-Leader Says (July 17, 2009 - Robert F. Worth)
China Shuts Down Office of Volunteer Lawyers (July 17, 2009 - Edward Wong)
Iran’s Ex- President Criticized for Comments About Election (July 18, 2009 - Robert F. Worth)
Iranian Critic Quotes Kohomeini Principles (July 18, 2009 - Elaine Sciolino)
Christian Science Monitor
Does US road to better relations with Iran pass through India? (July 18, 2009 - Howard LaFranchi)
Times Online
Tehran tortured British writer (July 19, 2009 - Marie Colvin)
Huffington Post
Iran: Regime Intentions Revealed - What's Next? (July 18, 2009 - Mark Fowler)
Esfandiar Rahim Mashaie Appointed Iran's First Vice President (July 17, 2009 - AFP
Iranian Diaspora and the Green Wave Revival (July 17, 2009 - Sara Dehghan)
Iran's Unresolved Revolution (July 17, 2009 - Lydia Khalil)
A Cry for Help: An Open Letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper (July 18, 2009 - Shirin Neshat)
Why The ICC Should Speak Out on Iran (July 18, 2009 - Christopher Santora and Gissou Azarnia)
Listening for the Truth about Iran (July 17, 2009 - David A. Harris)
What Should A New American Policy Toward Iran Look Like? (July 16, 2009 - Sam Sedaei)
Hey DJ Rafsanjani, Play Us Some Ayatollah Khomeini (July 16, 2009 - Melody Moezzi)
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Starting a Revolt in 140 characters (July 18, 2009 - Erwin Oliva)
Wall Street Journal
Iran Cleric Faults Government's Handling of Unrest (July 18, 2009 - CHIP CUMMINS and ROSHANAK TAGHAVI)
Let's Help Iranians Beat the Censors: From satellite phones to Internet hacking, the U.S. can make a difference. (July 17, 2009 - OpEd JEREMY RABKIN and ARIEL RABKIN)
AFP
West must close Iran nuclear file: new atomic chief (July 18, 2009)
Baltimore Jewish Times
Clinton: Iran Outreach Not Open-Ended
CNN
Group: Human rights lawyer detained as Iran unrest spirals
Jerusalem Post
'I wed Iranian girls before execution' (July 19, 2009 - SABINA AMIDI)
When he was 16, "my mother took me to a Basiji station and begged them to take me under their wing because I had no one and nothing foreseeable in my future. My father was martyred during the war in Iraq and she did not want me to get hooked on drugs and become a street thug. I had no choice," he said.
He said he had been a highly regarded member of the force, and had so "impressed my superiors" that, at 18, "I was given the 'honor' to temporarily marry young girls before they were sentenced to death."
In the Islamic Republic it is illegal to execute a young woman, regardless of her crime, if she is a virgin, he explained. Therefore a "wedding" ceremony is conducted the night before the execution: The young girl is forced to have sexual intercourse with a prison guard - essentially raped by her "husband."
"I regret that, even though the marriages were legal," he said.
Why the regret, if the marriages were "legal?"
"Because," he went on, "I could tell that the girls were more afraid of their 'wedding' night than of the execution that awaited them in the morning. And they would always fight back, so we would have to put sleeping pills in their food. By morning the girls would have an empty expression; it seemed like they were ready or wanted to die.
"I remember hearing them cry and scream after [the rape] was over," he said. "I will never forget how this one girl clawed at her own face and neck with her finger nails afterwards. She had deep scratches all over her."
Tehran Times
Opposition grows to appointment of new first VP (July 19, 2009)
Star Tribune <- Minneapolis-St.Paul Minnesota
Iran linked to Guard deaths: A militia member arrested by Iraqis has admitted firing the missile that killed 3 Minnesotans. (July 19, 2009 - Dee DePass
USA Today
Hard-liners accuse top Iranian cleric of defiance (July 18, 2009 - AP)
Vids
Traditional Revolutionary song revamped
Click to view
Music vid mashup - The Hand Lyrics found here
Russian flag burned during Friday Sermon Protests
How to disable Basiji motorcycles
Music dedication vid to Sohrab A'rabi
Via an anon poster from here
Funniest boldest slogan in a bus by a WOMAN!!!!
I could not believe this. LOL
Now it's hard to translate this but I'll try.
Tup Tank Feshfeshe,
Ahmadinejad kos keshe.
Translating:
Tup = Cannon or football(sport)
Tank = Tank(army)
Feshfeshe = fireworks
Ahmadinejad = Ahmadinejad
kos keshe = is a pimp
But the funny part is the bad word we use to say pimp.
Kos means p***y in persian. LOL
You don't say that in public in an islamic country SPECIALLY if you are a woman.
More green scroll vids
P.S. does anyone know why on some vids that the sound cuts off?