Neda, you're not going down, your eyes might be close, your blood on the ground, but I know, you'll be around,
Neda, Neda, take my hand...
*Nedā (ندا) is the the Persian word for "voice", "calling" or "divine message," and Neda Agha Soltan has been referred to as the "voice of Iran". source: Neda's page on Wikipedia
Young Student, Neda, who was shot dead by a Basiji militia hiding on a nearby rooftop
Iran Human Rights, June 21: Despite the warnings by the Iranian regime’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei, thousands of pro-democracy Iranians went into the streets in Tehran and other Iranian cities today. Demonstrators were met by thousands of security forces and paramilitary Basidj militia.
According to sources in Iran more than 19 people were shot dead and several dozens wounded by the shots fired at the demonstrators.
Unofficial reports say that at least 150 people might have killed in today's [20 June] Tehran demonstrations.
Some reports say that snipers shot people at the lower parts of the body and some of those wounded were taken away in Basidj vans to undisclosed locations. According to our reports, there have been protest demonstrations in other Iranian cities such as Shiraz and Isfahan.
Another disturbing report from "Human Rights Activists in Iran" said yesterday that the phone lines of Tehran’s Evin prison were cut off while many of those arrested last week were transferred to this prison.
Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, the spokesperson of Iran Human Rights asked the world community to show clear support for the pro-democracy movement in Iran and condemn the Iranian regimes use of violence against peaceful demonstrators.
He said: " World community must not recognize Ahmadinejad as the president and send clear warning against extensive use of violence against defenseless protestors who are demanding their legitimate rights".
A Petition Against the Government-Sponsored Violence in Iran June 22, 2009
We, the undersigned scholars, academics and writers around the world, are concerned about the human rights crisis in Iran. We request the United Nations to condemn the current coup d’état and support Iranians in their demand for a fair and democratic election. Deeply worried by the reports of Iranian paramilitary groups and security forces firing upon and arresting peaceful civilian demonstrators, we demand that the international community act now to prevent further violence and bloodshed. We call on the government of Iran to respect and uphold the right to peaceful protest. We call upon democratic institutions and organizations around the world to condemn government-sponsored violence against peaceful Iranian protesters. We also call on governments around the world to ask the UN Secretary General, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the Human Rights Council to appoint a UN special commission to monitor the post-election situation in Iran and to inform the Security Council about the arbitrary arrest and detention of student activists and leading reformists in Iran.
Mohammed Abed; Guliano Amato; Dora Apel; David E. Apter; Andrew Arato; John Atlas; Etienne Balibar; Joanne Barkan; Zygmunt Bauman; Mark Beissinger; Daniel A. Bell; Seyla Benhabib; Michael Berlin; Sheri Berman; Richard Bernstein; Michael Bérubé; Casey Nelson Blake; Giancarlo Bosetti; Ken Brociner; David Bromwich; Daniel Brook; Luther P. Carpenter; Jean Cohen; Charles W. Collier; George Cotkin; Giorgio De Michelis; Jane Dailey; Neil Denny; Andrew Ian Dodge; Michael Doyle; Max Dunbar; Ellen DuBois; Marc Edelman; Cynthia Epstein; Edward Evans; Henry Farrell; Giulio Ferroni; Nina zu Fürstenberg; Nancy Fraser; Vera Frenkel; Manuel Anonio Garreton; Jeanie Gosline; Kathleen Gerson; Gary L. Gerstle; Brian Gilbert; Todd Gitlin; Fabian L. Glagovsky; Eugene Goodheart; Linda Gordon; Linda Grant; Alan Greenberg; Mark Greif; Murray Hausknecht; Agnes Heller; Patrick Heller; Gur Hirshberg; Jennifer Hochschild; John Holzrichter; Maurice Isserman; Noah Isenberg; Ramin Jahanbegloo; Angel Jaramillo; James Johnson; Michael Katz; Michael Kazin; Alejandro Ribo Labastida; Shalom Lappin; Daniel Larner; Jeremy Larner; Jesse Larner; Mark Levinson; Steven Lukes; Kanan Makiya; Jeff Madrick; David Marcus; Avishai Margalit; Edna Ullmann-Margalit; Jake Marmer; Giacomo Marramao; Andrew Martin; Guido Martinotti; Kevin Mattson; Deborah Meier; Michael Meranze; Harold Meyerson; S.M. Miller; Nicolaus Mills; Jo-Ann Mort; Olivier Mongin; Andrew Murphy; Ashis Nandy; Martha Nussbaum; George Packer; John Palubiski; Ilene Philipson; Maxine Phillips; Ruben Pulido; Wes Ramsay; Eric Reeves; Phillip Richards; Corey Robin; Ben Ross; Marco Roth; Lillian Rubin; James Rule; Richard Sandbrook; Henry Shue; Alan Sommerstein; Buzz Spector; Jerome Slater; Christine Stansell; Judith Stein; Charles Taylor; Ruy Teixeira; Kay Trimberger; Evan Tucker; Adrian Tysoe; Inna Tysoe; Salvatore Veca; Felix de Villiers; Judith B. Walzer; Michael Walzer; Paul Wapner; Michael Weiss; Jon Wiener; Melissa Williams; Richard Wolin; Susan Wright
Iranian police and military forces have turned Shiroudi Sport Compound into a military garrison. The sport compound is located in central Tehran, close to Haft-e-Tir Square, where many demonstrations have been taking place during June uprising.
A Summary Report of, thus far, the Bloodiest Day in the Islamic Republic of Iran:
Despite the state ban of today’s demonstration (following the Supreme Leader’s speech in Friday Sermon, 19 June), thousands of people took to the streets of central Tehran, chanting “Death to the Dictator” and “Down with Dictatorship.” Due to heavy censorship of all communication venues by the current government, the only available sources of information from Iran are incoming news from twitter, eyewitnesses, blogs (particularly, Revolutionary Road), Facebook, and Youtube videos taken by cell phones on the streets.
:Anti-riot police & Basij militia blocking access to demonstration sites:
In Tehran, ongoing reports confirmed heavy and bloody clashes between different fractions of Iranian security forces (including military police, anti-riot police, Basij militia – many in plain dress and wearing masks) and protesters in central Tehran, on Revolution St. from Ferdowsi Square (2 city blocks east of Revolution Sq.) to Freedom Sq. (the west-end of Revolution St.) – an area of some 6 kilometers – and the surrounding neighborhoods; as well as Amirabad mid-town neighborhood (few city blocks – approx. 3 km – north of Revolution St.), where parts of University of Tehran campus and its dormitory are located.
:Map of Enghelab(Revolution) Street & its surrounding areas, Azadi (Freedom)Square:
Meanwhile, helicopters were flying above the demonstration areas. The demonstrations started, as planned, around 4:00 pm – local time (LT) – by tens of thousands of people gathering in Tehran’s Revolution Square, amidst heavy presence of police and military forces (see pictures above). This is while by using tear gasses and blocking the entry roads to the whole area from the early hours of the rally, the police and military forces, practically, tried to disperse present protesters into surrounding residential areas and deny many more access to the demonstration sites.
Nonetheless, by 4:20 pm (LT), Revolution St. (the main route of June demonstrations) was packed up to its west-end, Freedom Square. By 4:30 pm (LT), anti-riot police, military police, and Bajis militia started attacking and dispersing demonstrators into the surrounding (mostly residential) areas, using batons, tear gases, and pepper sprays – also, late-evening reports from Emam Hospital speak of burned injured civilians, confirming the possibility of pouring either boiled water, chemical water or acid on protesters – unconfirmed reports speculate acid is being poured by helicopters flying above the contested areas. By 5:20 pm (LT), reports of heavy clashes and sounds of gun shots in Khosh St. around Freedom Sq. came in. By 5:40 pm (LT), heavy clashes between demonstrators and police and military forces (using tear gas and water cannons) on Freedom St, and chants of “Death to Dictatorship” by the people were reported. There are some reports of beating ordinary people on the streets and not just protesters. By 5:50 pm (LT), news of gathering some 2,000 to 3,000 protesters at Tehran University campus, followed by police surrendering of the campus, where the hardest and bloodies confrontations have been reported in Amirabad neighborhood.
:The writings read: My martyr comrade, I will take back your vote:
:Fire & fights in residential areas of Tehran:
:Street fights in residential areas:
By 8:30pm (LT), reports of Mir-Hossein Mousavi’s (the opposition presidential candidate) presence among the people and his speech in Jayhoon St. (on Revolution St., close to Sharif University and Freedom Sq.) came in. According to confirmed sources, Mousavi declared he’ll stand all the way with the people: “I am prepared for martyrdom. Shame on you and your tricks the coup government” and “If I am arrested the nation is to strike indefinitely.”
Residential houses close to the contested areas have been opening their doors, giving refuge to injured protesters. Confirmed reports speak of European Embassies' (Embassies of Britain, France, Denmark, Portugal, and Australia – so far) opening their doors and accepting injured protesters. This is due to the fact that many confirmed evidences show those injured who have been taken to the hospitals are being immediately arrested by police and military forces, taken to unknown locations, without informing families’ of the victims. Local reports saying Canadian Embassy has refused to accept anyone so far. According to news coming from Fatemieh Hospital in Tehran, until 11:00 pm (LT), some 30-40 civilians were dead, 200 more injured, and police has been taking names of incoming injured civilians. Incoming news speak of ongoing shooting at people on the streets of Tehran and calling for urgent medical help at site. Meanwhile, incoming news speak of mass arrests of journalists in Tehran. This is while, so far, not only some 600-700 reformist political figures (many of them part of the political structures) and activists, but also many young social organizers have been arrested within the past days.
:The brutal suppression of demonstrations started by shooting civilians:
While clashes and street fights, initially, started in the central city – in areas around Revolution St. – and then shortly later, spread to mid-town (University of Tehran campus), later in the evening and into the night, the street fights between civilians and police/military forces made it to other parts of the city, as well as the east and west side suburbs (mostly lower middle-class and working-class areas): by 7:00 pm (LT), upper town areas on Vali Asr Street (Vanak Sq.), by 8:47 pm (LT), going up north of Vali Asr (Tajrish Sq.), by 9:17 pm (LT), Arya Shahr neighborhood (west of Tehran), by 10:48 pm, Gisha neighborhood (west of Tehran), by 11:00 pm (LT), Haft Hoz neighborhood (east of Tehran), by 12:00 pm (LT), Navab St. and Azarbayjan St. (both south of Tehran), by 12:15 pm (LT), reports of fires in Haft Hoz Sq. (east of Tehran) and use of Molotov Cocktail by protesters in pushing back Basij militia.
By 9:45 pm (LT), hundreds of thousands of Tehranians took to their roof tops, chanting “Allaho Akbar” (God is great) for an hour – both in memory of the days of the 1978-9 revolution, and, as a sign of collective resistance and solidarity, symbolically implying ‘the fight will go on’. Eyewitness reports speak of the highest intensity of chanting within the past week. Some reports speak of plans by people to march into central Tehran tonight.
News of similar scenes of heavy and bloody clashes between police/military forces and civilians has been reported from other cities: Ahavaz (southern Iran), Rasht (northern Iran), Tabriz (northwestern Iran), Isfahan (central Iran), Shiraz (southern Iran).
Below are some videos from today (Saturday, 20 June 2009) street scenes in Tehran. Some videos contain violent scenes. Discretion advised.
20 June 2009, Demonstrations on the Streets of Tehran, around 5:30 pm (LT)
Above: Chanted Slogans: Death to the dictator; Down with this falsified, populist government; People why are siting aside, Iran has turned into Palestine;
20 June 2009, Demonstrations & Confrontations on the Streets of Tehran
Above: Chanted Slogans: Death to the dictator; Until Ahmadineajad is here, everyday will be like this; People, why are you sitting aside, Iran has turned into Palestine; O' Hossein, Mir-Hossein; Don't be scared, don't be scared, we're all together.
20 June 2009, Rage & Blood On the Streets of Tehran
20 June 2009, Rage & Blood on the Streets of Tehran
20 June 2009, Shooting at Civilians on the Streets of Tehran (Discretion Advised)
20 June 2009, Killing of a Young Girl by Basij Militia on the Streets of Tehran (Discretion Advised)
"At 19:05 June 20th Place: Karekar Ave., at the corner crossing Khosravi St. and Salehi st. A young woman who was standing aside with her father watching the protests was shot by a basij member hiding on the rooftop of a civilian house. He had clear shot at the girl and could not miss her. However, he aimed straight her heart. I am a doctor, so I rushed to try to save her. But the impact of the gunshot was so fierce that the bullet had blasted inside the victim's chest, and she died in less than 2 minutes. The protests were going on about 1 kilometers away in the main street and some of the protesting crowd were running from tear gass used among them, towards Salehi St. The film is shot by my friend who was standing beside me. Please let the world know." From Facebook Notes.
In the memory of all those brave souls who have lost their lives on the streets, and, in solidarity with all brave women and men who have courageously taken to the streets of Tehran and other cities in Iran; voicing their rights as citizens, resisting oppression and dictatorship, getting injured and arrested. You are making memorable pages of the history of this much troubled country.
According to several sources, since Thursday, 18 June, autoworkers at Iran Khodro - Iran's biggest auto company - have been on partial strike in solidarity with post-election protests. Also, Vahed Syndicate (the syndicate of bus drivers and workers of Tehran and suburbs) issued a solidarity statement on 18 June ... See below for both news:
Strike in Iran Khodro:
We declare our solidarity with the movement of the people of Iran.
Autoworker, Fellow Laborers (Laborer Friends): What we witness today, is an insult to the intelligence of the people, and disregard for their votes, the trampling of the principles of the Constitution by the government. It is our duty to join this people's movement.
We the workers of Iran Khodro, Thursday 28/3/88 in each working shift will stop working for half an hour to protest the suppression of students, workers, women, and the Constitution and declare our solidarity with the movement of the people of Iran. The morning and afternoon shifts from 10 to 10:30. The night shift from 3 to 3:30.
Laborers of IranKhodor
Vahed Syndicate Statement: Any Suppression or Threat of Civil Liberty Condemned
Any Suppression or threat of civil liberty condemned
In line with the recognition of the labour rights, we request that June 26 Action Day - Justice for Iranian workers - to include the human rights of all Iranians who have been deprived of their rights.
In recent days, we continue witnessing the magnificent demonstration of millions of people from all ages, genders, and national and religious minorities in Iran. They request that their basic human rights, particularly the right to freedom and to choose independently and without deception be recognized. These rights are not only constitutional in most of the countries, but also have been protected against all odds.
Amid such turmoil, one witnesses threats, arrests, murders and brutal suppression that one fears only to escalate on all its aspects, resulting in more innocent bloodshed, more protests, and certainly no retreats. The Iranian society is facing a deep political-economical crisis. Million-strong silent protests, ironically loud with un-spoken words, have turned into iconic stature and are expanding from all sides. These protests demand reaction from each and every responsible individual and institution.
As previously expressed in a statement published on-line in May of this year, since Syndicate Vahed does not view any of the candidates support the activities of the workers’ organizations in Iran, it would not endorse any presidential candidate in the election. Vahed members nevertheless have the right to participate or not to participate in the elections and vote for their individually selected candidate.
Moreover, the fact remains that demands of almost an absolute majority of the Iranians go far beyond the demands of a particular group. In the past, we have emphasized that until the freedom of choice and right to organize are not recognized, talk of any social or particular right would be more of a mockery than a reality.
The Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Vahed Bus Company fully supports this movement of Iranian people to build a free and independent civil society and condemns any violence and oppression.
In line with the recognition of the labour rights, the Syndicate requests that June 26 which has been called by the International Trade Unions Organization ‘Day of action’ for justice for Iranian workers to include the human rights of all Iranians who have been deprived of their rights.
With hope for freedom and equality
The Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Vahed Bus Company
“I will participate in the demonstrations tomorrow. Maybe they will turn violent. Maybe I will be one of the people who is going to get killed. I’m listening to all my favorite music. I even want to dance to a few songs. I always wanted to trim my eyebrows very thin. Yes, maybe I will drop by the salon before the rally tomorrow! I have to watch some great parts of Hamoon* again.I also have to go through my books. Shamlou** and Forough** are worth reading at these moments. I have to review my family album too.And my friends! I have to call them to say goodbye. All I have are two bookshelves full of books which I told my family who should get them. I’m two courses away from getting my bachelors degree but who cares about that now. There is a lot on my mind right now. I am writing these scattered sentences for the next generation so they know we were not just emotional and caught up in excitement. So they know that we did everything we could to create a better future for them. So they know that our ancestors surrendered to Arabs and Mongols but did not surrender to despotism. These words are dedicated to the children of tomorrow …”
- translated from the notes of an Iranian blogger with more courage than most of us will ever know.
*Hamoun: an Iranian movie directed by Dariush Mehrjoui ** "Ahmad Shamlou" and "Forough Farrokhzad": Two contemporary Iranian poets
This is visual summary of Iran uprising in the aftermath of the 2009 presidential election. The video contains very violent scenes. Viewer discretion is advised.
"This is not about Mousavi, but about people realizing that they are not followers like a herd of sheep that goes anywhere it is summoned to go..."
June 18. 2009
The events of the last couple of days have been so moving that I haven’t be able to digest it all yet. Life was already fast and hectic enough in Tehran where we wouldn’t have time to get to everything, now after 3 PM everything comes to a halt and based on a collective agreement, we all leave our houses or daily routines and head towards downtown without any transportation! Believe me that every day we leave the house, we are not sure if we will make it back. Some of us like me and my family and our close friends who are among the crowd every day worry even more and each night after the rally we keep calling each other to make sure everyone is back home safe and sound.
During the rallies we see such variety of bitter and sweet incidents that it gives us material to think about for months to come. We come across small kids, men and women over 75 years old, people from all walks of life. Today I saw a blind young man accompanied by his father, many people with broken limbs, blued eyes, and many who carry the pictures of those killed in the events which breaks your heart. Many people distribute drinks and refreshments to protesters, some wave hands from the windows of their houses showing their green ribbons, and all of this, in an unbelievable moving silence.
Remember when in middle school as a composition homework, we had to write about “Imagine you could see the seed of people’s hearts.” Today these green ribbons have become those seeds. When you see them you get energized, and feel that you are all one. Cheating these people is worse than any crime and it is such a loss to waste all this hope and energy. I hope we make something good out of it. I have to add that what you and other Iranians outside of Iran are doing to support us is really warming our hearts. We are sure what you are doing is very effective. When they ask all foreign reporters to leave the country and when all of the communication channels are disconnected, it is your voice that takes our voice to the outside world.
Many criticize us and wonder what does Mr. Mousavi have that is so special? They argue that after all he is one of the many in that corrupt system of the Islamic Republic and will never act against it. My argument is that this is not about Mousavi, but about people realizing that they are not followers like a herd of sheep that goes anywhere it is summoned to go. They will know that the individual will does matter and that their actions can be effective and can speak louder than any specific person; this to me is the most important aspect of these events. Now either Mousavi or anyone else who will end up in power, they will have the understanding of what people want and what they are capable of, and how they can voice their requests. This is the significant and important step and now that Mousavi has chosen to go ahead, we will support him.
I had so much to tell! It is so good talk to each other.
A powerful note from a female medical student in Iran, translated from Farsi by a trusty reader.
Hello,
It's painful to watch what's happening.
I don't want anything to do with what has been said this far, as I neither have the strength nor the resilience to face all these unfathomable events.
I only want to speak about what I have witnessed. I am a medical student. There was chaos last night at the trauma section in one of our main hospitals. Although by decree, all riot-related injuries were supposed to be sent to military hospitals, all other hospitals were filled to the rim. Last night, nine people died at our hospital and another 28 had gunshot wounds. All hospital employees were crying till dawn. They (government) removed the dead bodies on back of trucks, before we were even able to get their names or other information. What can you even say to the people who don't even respect the dead. No one was allowed to speak to the wounded or get any information from them. This morning the faculty and the students protested by gathering at the lobby of the hospital where they were confronted by plain cloths anti-riot militia, who in turn closed off the hospital and imprisoned the staff. The extent of injuries are so grave, that despite being one of the most staffed emergency rooms, they've asked everyone to stay and help--I'm sure it will even be worst tonight.
What can anyone say in face of all these atrocities? What can you say to the family of the 13 year old boy who died from gunshots and whose dead body then disappeared?
This issue is not about cheating(election) anymore. This is not about stealing votes anymore. The issue is about a vast injustice inflected on the people. They've put a baton in the hand of every 13-14 year old to smash the faces of "the bunches who are less than dirt" (government is calling the people who are uprising dried-up torn and weeds)
This is what sickens me from dealing with these issues. And from those who shut their eyes and close their ears and claim the riots are in opposition of the government and presidency!! No! The people's complaint is against the egregious injustices committed against the people.
Demonstrations are ongoing. Today, tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Tehran, chanting: "Mousavi, Mousavi, Take Back my Vote." Mir-Hossein Mousavi, also, joined the demonstration today. Once among the crowd, people chanting: "Oh Hossein, Mir-Hossein."
'Oh Hossein' is in reference to the third Shi'ie Imam, who, besides being a historical religious figure, is a political symbol of revolt against tyranny and oppression in the imaginaire of Iranians. In these days, the similarity of names between Mir-Hossein Mousavi and the third Shi'ie Imam, has been politically appropriated by the people on the streets of Tehran and many other cities of Iran. The appropriation of 'Hossein' is also a counter action vis-a-vis the fact that Ahmadi Nejad and his government justify their actions by appeals to religion and religious figure.
Thursday, 18 June 2009: Imam Square. Tehran. 5pm (local time)
"At each rally people arrange the next time and place... Sometimes ghalamnews confirms, we use telephone and even make lots of copies of the arrangement and spread it on the streets!!! They are the most primitive ways but it works...
you don't believe how big these crowds are, and how good you feel walking along with the people who are ready to protect you in anyway, those who are just like you.."
Paul Jay, the senior editor of The Real News Network, talks with Brazilian Pepe Escobar, correspondent for Asia Times and an analyst for The Real News Network, on the recent mass-uprising in Iran.
One of the memorable songs of the 1979 revolution that turned into the song of the student movement in Iran. 30 years later the song is back to the streets of Tehran and other cities in Iran.
My elementary schoolmate. You are with me and my comrade all the way. We’ve suffered together. Your tears and sighs are mines as well. Engraved on this blackboard are our names. Remaining on our bodies are still the scars of the lash of tyranny and injustice.
This uncultured landscape of ours is covered with weed instead of the green of grass. Either good or bad, dead is the hearts of all its people. Your hands and my hands must rip these veils apart. Who else, except for you and I, could cure our wounds?
My elementary schoolmate. You are with me and my comrade all the way. We’ve suffered together. Your tears and sighs are mines as well. Engraved on this blackboard are our names. Remaining on our bodies are still the scars of the lash of tyranny and injustice.
This uncultured landscape of ours is covered with weed instead of the green of grass. Either good or bad, dead is the hearts of all its people. Your hands and my hands must rip these veils apart. Who else, except for you and I, could cure our wounds?
My elementary schoolmate. You are with me and my comrade all the way. We’ve suffered together. Your tears and sighs are mines as well. Engraved on this blackboard are our names. Remaining on our bodies are still the scars of the lash of tyranny and injustice.
به گزارش خبرنگار شهابنیوز؛ حمله افراد لباس شخصی که دقیقاً معلوم نیست از کجا تغذیه میشوند به بیمارستان دی در حالی رخ داد که ساعاتی قبل از آن، تعدادی از مجروحان ناآرامیهای روز سهشنبه تهران توسط اورژانس یا مردم به این بیمارستان منتقل شده بودند. طی روزهای شنبه، یکشنبه و دوشنبه نیز تعدادی از مجروحان و کشته شدگان ناآرامیها و اعتراضات تهران به این بیمارستان منتقل شدهاند.
خبرنگار شهابنیوز میافزاید: افراد لباس شخصی که مجهز به چوب، چماق، باتوم، زنجیر، اسپری و بعضاً سلاح و بیسیم بودند پس از مراجعه به بیمارستان دی و عبور توام با تهدید از نگهبانی و حراست بیمارستان؛ وارد بخش اورژانس شدند و از پزشکان و کارد پرستاری با حالتی تهدیدآمیز خواستند که مجروحان ناآرامیها را درمان نکنند!
این افراد با پرخاشگری، مجروحان ناآرامیها را «منافق»، «عوامل دشمن»، «جاسوس» و «اراذل و اوباش» خواندند و خطاب به کارد پرستاری بیمارستان با تهدید تاکید کردند که حق ندارند این افراد را درمان کنند.
مجادلات این افراد با پزشکان و کادر پرستاری حدود ۱۵ دقیقه ادامه پیدا کرد. با آن که این افراد چند باری تلاش کردند با مجروحان نزدیک شده یا آنها را شناسایی کنند، برخورد هوشمندانه پزشکان باعث شد که درگیری فیزیکی و خشونتآمیز رخ ندهد.
گفتنی است کادر پزشکی و امدادی حتی در جریان جنگ جهانی دوم یا حمله رژیم غاصب اسرائیل به غزه نیز از آزادی و امنیت برخوردار بودند.
Shahab News: Men in civilian clothes attacked Day hospital in Tehran (Tavanir st at Valiasr st) and it is not clear where they got their orders from. This happened hours after some of the people wounded and injured in the street violence against protesters were brought to Day hospital by ambulances and by people on Tuesday. Number of wounded and dead were also brought to this hospital on previous days.
The attackers who were armed with batons, chains, sticks, sprays and guns entered the emergency room by forcing and threatening the security guards and ordered doctors and nurses not to treat patients injured during the protests. They also called those patients "spies", "traitors", and "enemy's supporters".
The confrontation lasted 15 minutes during which the hospital staff tried to keep the attackers from approaching the patients and recognizing their faces. At the end, they succeeded in preventing violence.
Note that even in the World War II and during Israel and Palestine's war in Gaza, the medical teams have been safe and free to do their job and treat the wounded.
"Please, please, keep the Basiji from us," one middle-aged lady pleaded with a special forces officer in flak jacket and helmet as the Islamic Republic's thug-like militia appeared in their camouflage trousers and purity-white shirts only a few metres away. The cop smiled at her. "With God's help," he said. Two other policemen were lifted shoulder-high. "Tashakor, tashakor," – "thank you, thank you" – the crowd roared at them.
“Human beings are members of a whole, In creation of one essence and soul. If one member is afflicted with pain, Other members uneasy will remain. If you have no sympathy for human pain, The name of human you cannot retain.” - Saadi
This week Iranians turned out in record numbers not seen since the beginning of the Iranian revolution to change their current President Mahmood Ahmadinejad. Their willingness to exercise their democratic right was both historic and uncommon in the Middle East.
Iranians longed for change the same way people in the United States, and indeed worldwide, longed for a new beginning after the Bush years. They were tired of an increasingly delusional President who has thrown their country into economic turmoil and portrayed their country as a conflict seeking entity in the Middle East. But today the same Iranian regime that has denied a dialogue with the world, denied human rights, denied democracy, denied the Holocaust, is blatantly denying the will of its people by committing massive election fraud to reelect Mahmood Ahmadinejad, and arresting journalists and opposition leaders in broad daylight. Accepting this deception will be costly not only for the people of Iran but also for the people of the Middle East, with far reaching consequences worldwide.
As you read these words, the people in Iran have taken to the streets in nationwide protests. Despite brutal government suppression tactics the Iranian people are courageously fighting for their rights. As antiriot police batons crush the bones of demonstrators whose only protest is election fraud, Iranians are screaming for the world to hear them: WE DENOUNCE MAHMOOD AHMADINEJAD! The people of Iran now ask for your support! We do not expect you to fight our struggle but to help us fight it.
We expect people worldwide to put pressure on their governments and politicians not to accept the legitimacy of the Iranian elections and the fraudulent presidency of Mahmood Ahmadinejad. Democratic societies worldwide must not leave the Iranian people alone now that they have risen to the challenge. Instead they need to align their policies with the will of the Iranian people. Friends, we ask you not to let 70 million people in Iran be taken hostage.
Any government that accepts Mahmood Ahmadinejad as the new president of Iran has betrayed the Iranian people, endangered world peace, and has no sympathy for human pain.
PLEASE TELL EVERYONE IN TO KEEP PROTESTING FOR THE NEXT 48 HOURS! IF IT GOES ON THE UN WILL HAVE TO DECLARE THE VOTE VOID... DON'T STOP, KEEP GOING FOR 48 HOURS! .... PLEASE GO ON A STRIKE ON TUESDAY.!!! PLEASE SIGN AND FORWARD THIS PETITION! WE NEED OUR VOICES TO BE HEARD! TELL EVERYONE.
