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Iranian Protests Rage On
This from the AP:
Thousands of protesters streamed down avenues of the capital Thursday, chanting "death to the dictator" and defying security forces who fired tear gas and charged with batons, witnesses said. The first opposition foray into the streets in 11 days aimed to revive mass demonstrations that were crushed in Iran’s postelection turmoil.
Iranian authorities had promised tough action to prevent the marches, which supporters of opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi have been planning for days in Internet messages. Heavy police forces deployed at key points in the city ahead of the marches, and Tehran’s governor vowed to "smash" anyone who heeded the demonstration calls.
In some places, police struck hard. Security forces chased after protesters, beating them with clubs on Valiasr Street, Tehran’s biggest north-south avenue, witnesses said.
Video: McCotter On Iranian Protests
Rep. Thaddeus McCotter had some inspiring words about the protests in Iran…
(hat tip Big Hollywood)
Kasparov: America Should Support Iranian Protesters
A man who certainly knows a thing or two about protesting for freedom is Russian chess champion Gary Kasparov.
Vladimir Putin has no greater foe in Russia than Kasparov. He’s been arrested too many times to count for leading marches in Russia against the authoritarian regime that Putin has created.
If Kasparov were not famous the world over, he would have been killed long ago. His fame is the only thing that has kept him alive under a regime that routinely murders journalists and jails people who speak out against the government.
Therefore, when Kasparov speaks out on issues like the protests in Iran he has a certain amount of credibility.
In today’s Wall Street Journal, Kasparov has an excellent Op-Ed about the protests in Iran and offers an interesting perspective.
Mr. Putin has a great deal riding on the outcome in Iran. With the Russian economy teetering, he needs a steep increase in oil prices to stave off the collapse of his government. So he has been working to increase tension in the Middle East and now sees the Iranian crisis as potentially helpful — if Ahmadinejad comes out on top.
…For Mr. Putin, the unknown factor in all of this is how the West will respond to what’s happening in Iran. It could give him pause if Iran faces penalties of real significance for using lethal force against nonviolent protestors. Surprisingly, European leaders are showing unusual assertiveness in condemning the Iranian regime.
Kasparov goes on to say that president Obama is wrong to sit on the sidelines while everything plays out.
He says the president’s warning that “the world is watching” is meaningless, because the behavior of the Iranian regime over the last 30 years proves they don’t give a damn who’s watching.
Sen. Richard Lugar and CNN’s Fareed Zakaria are singled out by Kasparov as well for supporting president Obama’s timidity.
Kasparov concludes by saying there’s no reason for America to hold back if we can do something that would potentially tip the balance inside Iran.
There is no reason to withhold external pressure that can tip the balance inside Tehran. Iranian opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi is not an ideal democrat. But should he and his supporters win power they will owe their authority to an abruptly empowered Iranian electorate. It is reasonable to expect that the people will hold a Mousavi government accountable for delivering the freedoms that they are now risking their lives to attain.
Millions of Iranians are fighting to join the Free World. The least we can do is let the valiant people of Iran know loud and clear that they will be welcomed with open arms.
Unlike many on the right, I actually thought president Obama’s statements at the beginning of this crisis were correct. I think his measured response in the beginning was appropriate.
However, as images and video of Iranian citizens being brutalized and killed by Iran’s Nazi brownshirts are being broadcast around the world, America has a moral responsibility to throw our support behind the protesters.
We should be condemning in the strongest possible language the treatment of protesters.
This is a chance for president Obama to go on national television and ask the Ayatollahs of Iran to let their people have freedom.
New Iran Crackdown Reported
This from CNN:
Security forces wielding clubs and firing weapons beat back demonstrators who flocked to a Tehran square Wednesday to continue protests, with one witness saying security forces beat people like “animals.”
At least two trusted sources described wild and violent conditions at a part of Tehran where protesters had planned to demonstrate.
“They were waiting for us,” the source said. “They all have guns and riot uniforms. It was like a mouse trap.”
“I see many people with broken arms, legs, heads — blood everywhere — pepper gas like war,” the source said.
I hope the protesters have the courage to keep this up, because it’s only going to get worse.
Video: Bloodied Iranian Protester Seeks Treatment At Tehran Hospital
***GRAPHIC VIDEO***
This is what happens to those who speak out against the murderous Mullah’s of Iran:
(hat tip Gateway Pundit)
Video: More Incredible Footage From Iran
Here’s some more incredible footage out of Iran. The protests are not dying down at all according to folks on the ground in Tehran. In fact, just the opposite. The crowds are growing by the day and I suspect the murderous Mullah’s are a little worried at this point.
Here’s footage of the mob storming the Basij compound which is home to the Iranian paramilitary forces (modern day brownshirts). Check out the guy on the roof picking off protesters with his rifle:
This second clip is definitely intense. I have no idea where in Iran this is or what exactly is happening, but you can certainly get a taste of what it feels like on the streets. You can feel the tension just by watching this clip:
(hat tip Hot Air)
Iranian Protest Leaders May Get Death Penalty
The country that president Obama thinks he’s going to sweet talk out of its nuclear weapons may execute protest leaders.
An Iranian prosecutor warned today that organizers of the election protests may face the death penalty.
"We warn the few elements controlled by foreigners who try to disrupt domestic security by inciting individuals to destroy and to commit arson that the Islamic penal code for such individuals waging war against God is execution," Habibi reportedly said.
"So before they are stricken with the law’s anger they should return to the nation’s embrace and avoid criminal measures and activities.”
Protesting a sham election and a government run by mass murdering thugs is “waging war against God?” Yeah, right.
Here’s some new footage of Iranian unrest:
(hat tip Jerusalem Post)
Video: Iranian Police Shoot Protesters
Everyone Claims Victory In Iran Election
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad declared himself the winner of Iran’s presidential election today. However, his challenger Mirhossein Mousavi has also declared himself victorious citing voting irregularities.
Something tells me Ahmadinejad is going to win this thing — unfortunately.
-Chris Jones
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