Hundreds of Thousands Protest in Iran

[Tyyr]

TEHRAN, Iran - Hundreds of thousands of protesters wearing black and carrying candles filled the streets of Tehran again Thursday, joining opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi to mourn demonstrators killed in clashes over Iran's disputed election.

The massive protest openly defied orders from Iran's supreme leader, despite a government attempt to placate Mousavi and his supporters by inviting the reformist, and two other candidates who ran against hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, to a meeting with the country's main electoral authority.

Many in the huge crowd carried black candles and lit them as night fell. Others wore green wristbands and carried flowers in mourning as they filed into Imam Khomenei Square, a large plaza in the heart of the capital named for the founder of the Islamic Revolution, witnesses said.

Press TV, an English-language version of Iranian state television designed for foreigners, estimated the crowd at hundreds of thousands and said the people listened to a brief address from Mousavi, who called for calm and self-restraint.

A Mousavi Web site said that the crowed exceeded 1 million.

Independent witnesses said that, based on previous demonstrations at the site, the size of the crowd appeared to be in the hundreds of thousands. Foreign news organizations are barred from reporting on Tehran's streets.

The demonstrators had marched silently until they arrived at the square, where some chanted "Death to the dictator!" one witness said. Press TV showed protesters making V-for-victory gestures and holding pictures of Mousavi and signs that say "Where's our Vote?"

A participant told The Associated Press by telephone that the rally stretched for more than three miles (5 kilometers) through downtown Tehran from the square.

Quite a bit more to read: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090618/ap_ ... n_election

This is getting very interesting. First of all the million estimate might be on the high side but it sounds like half a million isn't out of the question. That's a lot of people. Even more so when you consider the population of the country is 70 million with 20 million living in the greater urban Tehran area.

It warms my heart to know that little beady eyed Hitler wanna be Ahmadinejad isn't beloved in his country.

[Sionnach Glic]

Unfortunately, it's not him that's the problem. It's the Ayatolahs mostly.

[Tyyr]

I agree, but I dislike the figurehead in this case. The Ayatolahs are in a very bad spot though. If they throw in with Ahmadinejad they could find themselves with another revolution on their hands. If they don't they'll have shown the people that they can be swayed and they will lose some power.

[Sionnach Glic]

They've already backed Ahmadinejad. If memory serves, they've claimed him to be the rightful elected leader.

And yeah, with luck maybe they'll be kicked out of power by this. This clear demonstration of anger at the injust system they're dealing with is a nice indicator.

[Mikey]

Then what? Do we have the US go and install another Shah? Look how well that worked. The whole place is just fubar.

[Tyyr]

Then what? Do we have the US go and install another Shah? Look how well that worked. The whole place is just fubar.

...no. You let them have their own revolution all over again, or whatever they hell they think they need to do. Why in the hell would the US get involved in this?

[Sionnach Glic]

Of course not. In fact, the US should just sit down, shut up, and not draw any attention to itself. The last time they started screwing around they ended up uniting the whole country against them. The country's on the verge of revolt as it is; the last thing anyone wants is to give Ahmadinejad a pile of propaganda.

[Mikey]

Then what? Do we have the US go and install another Shah? Look how well that worked. The whole place is just fubar.

...no. You let them have their own revolution all over again, or whatever they hell they think they need to do. Why in the hell would the US get involved in this?

Of course not. In fact, the US should just sit down, shut up, and not draw any attention to itself. The last time they started screwing around they ended up uniting the whole country against them. The country's on the verge of revolt as it is; the last thing anyone wants is to give Ahmadinejad a pile of propaganda.

Yeah, I know what we should do. But when was the last time that the US just minded its own business?

[Tyyr]

Given who's in office I don't think we're going to go charging in any place anytime soon.

[Sionnach Glic]

Aye, but even a statement of support for the revolutionaries could fuck the whole thing up. The US needs to just stop talking about this completely. Along with the rest of the first world.

[Foxfyre]

Well this could get interesting quick....now if only this would happen in North Korea..

[Capt. Jethro]

Of course not. In fact, the US should just sit down, shut up, and not draw any attention to itself. The last time they started screwing around they ended up uniting the whole country against them. The country's on the verge of revolt as it is; the last thing anyone wants is to give Ahmadinejad a pile of propaganda.

No kidding. If there is a revolt and after the dust settles then I'm for humanitarian aid. But we need to stay the hell out until then.

Well this could get interesting quick....now if only this would happen in North Korea..

Something bad needs to happen to that little pot bellied pig.

[Sionnach Glic]

This morning, Ayatolah Khameni made a speech defending Ahmadinejad and co. I think they may have just shot themselves in the foot.

[Tyyr]

Yeah I saw that. Now we see just how much support the clerics have from the common people. This could be the beginning of the end for them. /hope

[Teaos]

Revolution?