Various News Reports on “Ghods Day” Protests in Iran-September 18th 2009

Another victory for the people of Iran, when thousands of protestors took to the streets, despite serious threats from Khamenei the so called Supreme Leader, that there would be a severe crack down on any anti-Regime protests on “Ghods Day.” Ghods Day in Iran is known as the day of “Freedom of Palestine” and the Islamic Regime organizes pro-Palestine protests every year for the “Palestinian Cause.”

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This year however freedom loving Iranians seized the opportunity to organize Anti-Government demonstrations on this day instead. Flyers were prepared which read “ Silence =Acceptance” and Iranian people called this day a “Nightmare for the Islamic Regime.” It seems like that is exactly what has happened as thousands of people have taken to the streets to voice their opposition against the Islamic Regime, in the face of threats from the Regime and heavy presence of security forces in the streets. According to news reports from Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran people in Tehran started their protests around 10:30 this morning. According to this news report thousands of protesters were walking from various streets including Haft Tir Square and Azadi Square towards Enghelab Square where the main protest was to take place. According to a second report from Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran it is stated that all streets and roads leading up to Enghelab Square was filled with thousands of protestors. Protestors wanted to walk towards Tehran University however there was heavy presence of security forces in Enghelab Square and around it, which would not allow protestors to move towards Tehran University. People were shouting slogans such as “death to dictator”, “People why are you sitting down? Iran has become Palestine,” “Not Gaza, Not Lebanon, I will give my life for Iran,” “Torture and rape is no longer effective,” “political prisoners must be free,” and “Our oil money has become the Basij Money.” There were also reports of violence by security forces towards protestors. Basij, and other Regime security forces attacked people with batons, and as of publication of this report at least 30 protestors were injured in Tehran, although the actual number might be much higher. Security forces also used tear gas against the protestors, and according to this news report protestors were fighting back against this violence. Islamic Regime helicopters were also flying above Enghelab Square in order to intimidate the protestors. This video shows protestors chanting “Iran, Iran” in response to the flying helicopters. In watching numerous videos from today’s protests on youtube, there were very few if any pro-Mousavi slogans in today’s protests. Almost all slogans were directed towards the entirety of the system, not against a particular fraction. This should be cause for great concern for the Islamic Regime as a whole, including the so called reformists whose history is filled with crimes against humanity, including torture and execution of innocent people. Iranian people are loud and clear in what they want, and it is clear from the slogans that they want REAL CHANGE!! Real change does not and cannot include Mousavi who had a hand in the execution of thousands of political prisoners in the summer of 1988, or Karoubi who opened his own torture chambers in “Bonyade Shahid” and personally ordered the torture of many of the family members of Iranian martyrs.

Protests in Other Cities in Iran:

There were protests in Abersam Intersection in the city of Tabriz, in Namazi Square in Shiraz, in Enghelabe Haki Square in Esfehan as well as protests in the city of Mashad. It must be noted that because of security concerns and heavier crackdown on smaller cities it is very difficult to get information from other cities. However it has been reported that there were anti-government demonstrations in the above noted cities with people shouting slogans such as “death to dictator.” Video’s From Today’s Protests in Tehran Video 1 Video 2 Video 3 Video 4 Reading news alerts and watching videos of today’s protest has filled me with so many emotions including pride to see so many Iranians risking their very lives to stand up for their rights. I also feel sad that the only thing I can do is to watch from sidelines, rather than being there, right along my brothers and sisters who are fighting against the Regime on the very front lines. At the same time I have always believed that any change that might come, (and I strongly believe change WILL come and a lot sooner than what Islamic Regime might think) will come from within the country, from those who have suffered at the hands of the Islamic Regime for the past 30 years. Perhaps my job and my duty is to try to be a voice for those who are fighting inside the country, to try to spread the news of their struggle to the international community and hope that they will be successful in their quest for a free, democratic and SECULAR Iran. In solidarity with the people of Iran in their struggle for freedom Down with the Islamic Regime in Iran Long Live Freedom in Iran