Just talked to a pro-Mousavi contact in Tehran. He had several points I am going to list here:
1- There are two group of protesters a) Tech savvy angry youths (14-21) who are very angry with the regime looking for headaches and want to fight the regime to death example of their action seen in Vanak Sq in Tehran. One 14 yr old was shot to death in that area. b) Adults and mature people of all walks of life who do not resort to violence and don't like confrontations (example of which the peaceful protest in front of regime TV bldg on Tuesday).
2- The state of affairs in Tehran is like an active volcano which happens to be out of control. Regime has no apparent control over the people and their behavior or reactions. People are agitated and example is when one road is blocked, people pour to protest sites from multiple routes that can not be controlled by police or militia.
3- Basiji militants seek to provoke people intentionally. They have no problem shooting at the crowds or gunning down their opponents.
4- Regular police forces have been very friendly in many cases. Also they have in some instances detained some of Ahmadinejad supporters for trouble making.
5- The rage among people has not gone down. It has gone up very much. Though people don't want to be violent if the regime is not violent. The rising death toll is intensifying the anger among the people. That has added to their hatred of the system.
6- Mousavi has vowed not to let people down. And my friends believe he won't let his supporters down. My friend adds if Mousavi does not let people down, his 1980s crimes can be forgiven.
7- The momentum is in favor of the Iranians. People prefer not to resort to violence as much as possible. One of the signs carried by my friend read: "Support Mousavi, No To Violence!"
These are several points mentioned by my close friend in Tehran via phone. Though the connection is bad and it was disrupted twice (hopefully his line is not tapped).
On a side note on angry teenagers: My friend said these young guys and girls ALWAYS talk about how to defeat anti-riot police. Always talk about how to defeat the regime on the internet. Always discuss the ways to learn how to combat in street fights. Always discuss how to hack regime websites. It can not be denied that Iran is in a pre-revolutionary mode now and anything is possible. A little bit of pressure from the outside world can tip this thing in favor of the liberty and humanity.
That's all for now! I'll keep you posted..... (really need to get some sleep and do some errands)
25 comments:
Tell the older Iranians to keep the youth on a tight leash and have a watchful eye on them, these kids are angry, and very open to influence, before you know it a Ultra-Commie or some other person just as bad as the current system will use their anger to control them.
That I doubt Matt.... Communists have little influence at this moment in Iran. I am more scared for them because they may get killed.
Thanks for the update, Winston.
Please take care...we are all with you,and hope so much for a free Iran.
The problem with Iran (and most third world countries) is that everyone is in to politics. People just know too much for their own good. I feel this recent situation will have a very bad effect on people life.
I know for now there are many people that are supporting Mr. Mousavi but is there anyone who believes that he can be any different? He ran a very good campaign and promised people what they wanted to hear but how can he be any different than the rest of people in charge in Iran?
I do believe in any other country (or at least any decent country) they would prosecute him for crime against humanity and for me it just so sad to see people are losing their lives over this.
I guess as we say in Iran person with one eye is king in country of blind people :) so for now this guy is as good as they can hope for…
It doesn't matter for now. He is gonna be the vehicle for change. he is the vehicle of transition, let's hope. There's no 'going back' from here
Great analysis. It is beginning to look a lot like a civil war.
This is good to hear Winston. I am afraid for the children, too, but they are not. They are the ones who have to live under the thumb of oppression. God bless them and keep them alive!
I didn't log out yet, but I put the "Free Iran NOW!" badge as my pic. ;)
The fear's gone because when you touch your friend's blood, you cannot give up any more.
You cannot take the rest of the life with no responsibility. Our duty is the standing against the IR.
"Evil only prevails when the good stay silent."
Amen to that, bardia! I myself am still angry about 9/11/01. I understand what you are saying. I just pray for day when none of us have to live like that. Until then, fight wisely, strongly, and united!
In this (http://www.roozonline.com/english/news/newsitem/article/2009/june/16//street-protests-in-iran.html)
roozonline article they say: "Following the publication of a letter by employees of the Ministry of Interior – which administers national elections in Iran – that speaks of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad occupying third position in the June 12th presidential elections etc etc." -- WHERE IS THIS LETTER? HAS ANYBODY PUBLISHED IT? DO YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT? What kind of letter was it?
Thank you so much for the coverage.
Winston
I've posted the link to this article on the Facebook group, 'Support the Iranian Nation Protest against the Election Fraud'.
azadi eshgheman, here is a website that I believe quotes (in English) the letter you may be referring to:
Iran Election: The Beginning of the End
In this kind of climate, though, it's hard to know what and who to believe.
Hi,
I am writing an article for Huffington Post on Iran elections.I have few questions. Can you please email me at sarikamona1@gmail.com? Thanks
Winston, what do you think of the recent report filed by Robert Fisk for ABC? BBC? from Tehran that states that the protesters "absolutely do not want regime change" and only want a recount or a new election held?
TS Alfabet
Saheed on Face Book and other sites, Winston, he can add lots to your blog, contact him (he may need some "conservatising?):
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/saeed.valadbaygi?ref=nf
http://shooresh1917.blogspot.com/
http://www.kargaran.org/
http://www.ensanetaqi.blogfa.com/
.
Papa, I can't. You contact him and do what you can. I am so busy with other tasks here.
Let those who would perpetrate voter fraud in the United States (no matter what officve they may hold) take note.
@Anon? You mean Obama and his buddies at ACORN?
Winston:
I read a report yesterday that said the unrest and the protesting was strictly an urban phenomenon, and that the vast majority of the non-urban, less highly educated, more religiously conservative Iranians unreservedly supports Ahmadinijad and the Mullahs. Anything to this?
My best to you and the Iranian people.
a pox on both their houses. Ahmadinajad is a Muslim fanatic controled by primative mullahs, and Mousavi is a Muslim fanatic controlled by primative mullahs.
@ Anon
The small towns are easier to control. Whereas metropolitans/big cities like Tehran, Shiraz & Isfahan are very hard to control. And no, this is a nation wide unrest.
Also, Fuck Robert Fisk. Who cares what that asshole says?
Winston, Robert Fisk is the only one, so far to acknowledge the real size of the protest. He is the only one who mentioned that the crowd was over 1 million people. Also, the report that I saw shows that he is bravely getting out amongst the people - it is a plus.
However, I agree that he is reporting with an agenda, just like the comments coming from a few ultra left people.
Nico from Huffington Post is doing an excellent job with his reporting. He is remaining factual.
I continue to pray for the Iranian people in their struggle to throw off the yoke of their slavery.
May 23, 2001 thousands of humankind's representatives gathered at Mount Carmel, Haifa, Israel to pay homage to the One Whose mortal remains are interred atop God's Holy Mountain in the Holy Land.
They were from EVERY race and ethnic group, come to solemnly pray near the mortal remains of an IRANIAN, shot to death by 750 musket-riflemen in Tabriz, Iran... but Whose Being and Whose Teachings had inspired such love and devotion that, despite terrible danger to themselves, His followers secreted the remains safely away from Muslim clergy until they could be interred atop Mount Carmel...
So it was that, during the lighting of the gardens leading up to the Shrine of the Bab that evening, there were blackouts of unknown origin in Iran... even as the events in Haifa were simulcast around the world!
Attendees that day were informed that the Formative Age had ended, and mankind would very soon enter a more chaotic time of tearing down the Old World Order and raising the pillars of Justice...
Then came 9-11-01
I have been outright staggeringly startled at how some of the biggest Leftie blogs are actually siding with the oppressed people this time. For decades it seemed that the left had morphed into the complete opposite of what it had once been. Still, many of the lesser leftie bloggers have remained conspicuously silent while this thing has unfolded.
"A little bit of pressure from the outside world can tip this thing in favor of the liberty and humanity."
Too bad Obama campaigned on the platform of being nice to the mullah regime, and it seems he intends to keep this commitment. So liberty and humanity in Iran will have to look out for themselves for now.
E.g., http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/16/AR2009061601753_pf.html
or more concisely, http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=MWYxMTM5YjhhMTY1NWQ2NGJhNjQ0NmRmODg2YjEwMjU=
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