Young Iranians have not yet resigned and are now returned to the streets (AP photo) to demonstrate against the recent elections that saw Ahmadinejad winner, thanks to an endless series of cheating. Supporters of reformist Mir Hussein Moussavi defied the police and decided to demonstrate in front of Tehran university. It is an important day, today. It's Friday, the day of prayer, sermon day. Thousands of demonstrators gathered in central Tehran and with green bands on and with Moussavi's photos have defied the police and started to demonstrate.
The crisis does not stop and could last for a long time, at least according to the words of former President Rafsanjani, a supporter of Moussavi, who said "it (the crisis) can be resolved with the election of a president who is wanted by the people."
The ceremony was able to attract many more people than usual because this time had been set up speakers outside University, so everyone passing nearby could hear the message of Rafsanjani. The former president of the Islamic Republic did not spare criticism of the regime during his sermon. "In Iran ther is a bitter situation that can only be resolved with the election of a president who is wanted by the people", said the Ayatollah during the prayer, after four weeks in which he had preferred not to lead the Friday prayer (perhaps to avoid facing the problem of political crisis). He has also fought against the Guardian Council, on which many people had hoped for a new election result until the last. The Ayatollah said the Guardian Council "have not used in the best possible way" the time available to examine complaints of fraud submitted by the candidates defeated .
Rafsanjani said that in order to "regain the lost confidence of the people" the Islamic Republic should create "an atmosphere of freedom where everyone can express their criticisms". Decidedly harsh words addressed to the re-elected President Ahmadinejad.
While Rafsanjani was speaking, the police, however, reacted violently. Truncheons and tear gas were not enough against the demonstrators dressed in green and so, to disperse the crowd were also fired the rubber bullets. The repression has reached the point that block the spread of information across borders and thus to discover the world violence and the will of the people to react, have been turned off all mobile phones in downtown Tehran, from which it can not even send a mobile message. A witness reported that at least 15 people were arrested.
They will be add to the many opponents now locked up behind bars. This time the militias have beaten up and arrested the lawyer Shadi Sadr, known activist for women's rights. They put her with the force on a car while she was going to the University to demonstrate together with other women.
While Rafsanjani was speaking, the police, however, reacted violently. Truncheons and tear gas were not enough against the demonstrators dressed in green and so, to disperse the crowd were also fired the rubber bullets. The repression has reached the point that block the spread of information across borders and thus to discover the world violence and the will of the people to react, have been turned off all mobile phones in downtown Tehran, from which it can not even send a mobile message. A witness reported that at least 15 people were arrested.
They will be add to the many opponents now locked up behind bars. This time the militias have beaten up and arrested the lawyer Shadi Sadr, known activist for women's rights. They put her with the force on a car while she was going to the University to demonstrate together with other women.
It 'hard to believe that things will end well, as it is hard to believe that Ahmadinejad will hear the protests. The sermon of Rafsanjani ended by saying "will be the beginning of change of our future."
Knowing that despite the violence, arrests, the abuses in that country somebody is still able to think about a change, it means that something can still happen.
Knowing that despite the violence, arrests, the abuses in that country somebody is still able to think about a change, it means that something can still happen.
Marianna Lepore
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