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LiveBlog: Iran Quds Day Protests 2010

Blog, Dictator Watch, Freedom of Speech, General, Human Rights, Iran, LGBT Rights, Media, Middle East, News Related, News and Opinion 9 Responses »

Sep 032010

Cities where protests are taking place will be marked.

1500 GMT

As the day ends, a small government rally ends up in violence against the opposition. I will be posting a summary of the events in a few hours, either on @PajamasMedia or elsewhere.

1320 GMT

According to a reliable source in Iran, Sayed Yaser Khomeini, one of Imam Khomeini’s grandsons, visited Mehdi Karroubi today and expressed his condolences over the attacks on his residence. He also denounced Basijis who attack Karroubi’s housing and called them thugs.

1305 GMT

It has now been confirmed that Ayatollah Dastegheyb’s Ghoba Mosque in Shiraz. According to Rahe Sabz, 200-300 Basij entered the mosque and proceeded to attack the cleric’s students. Clashes inside the mosque continue at this point.

The mosque’s door had been sealed by the government even though students had informed the government that they would gather at the mosque. Dastegheyb is a staunch supporter of the opposition.

1302 GMT

Grant Ayatollah Bayat Zanjani called Mehdi Karroubi today and expressed his support for the besieged opposition leader and praised his resilience, according to reliable sources. He also denounced security forces’ attack on his house and hoped that they would cease their activities.

1239 GMT

Unconfirmed reports suggest that clashes have taken place between students of Ayatollah Dastegheyb and security forces outside Ghoba Mosque in Shiraz. The mosque – usually the center of activities both social and political – has been closed for the past two Quds Days by the government. Both last year and this year, the government did not allow gatherings at the mosque – where the cleric leads prayers and holds undisputed leadersship – for ‘security’ reasons.

Dastegheyb has been an avid supporter of the opposition. Yesterday, he called on the government to allow people their right to freedom of speech and not arrest people for chanting anti-government slogans. So far, this has only been reported by one source. As more news of the clash appears, I’ll be able to fully confirm or deny the story.

1125 GMT

As late afternoon arrives, Tehran is yet to notice the opposition in full force in the streets in Tehran and other cities. The security situation through the country, especially in Tehran, is very tense. In the capital, thousands of policemen, Basijis and plainclothesmen have covered the major squares and roads leading to the squares.

They’ve establish check points and are checking metro train cars and have detained at least 5 people so far on suspicion of being members of the opposition. Whether the opposition shows up at all is uncertain.

Karroubi’s house continues to be surrounded by up to 200 security forces. Videos of damage done to the inside of the house from last night and this morning’s attacks are available showing broken windows and gunshot holes in walls.

You can watch the entire video by clicking here.

0925 GMT

The security situation is extremely tight. Thousands of policemen, plainclothesmen, riot police and IRGC are inside the city. Most are out on the streets, while IRGC are reportedly still not out on the streets in large numbers. The government seems to be attempting to prevent the opposition from gathering at all cost. So far, I can confirm at least five arrests of people suspected of being Green Movement supporters.

0905 GMT

Rahe Sabz reports that security forces have flooded Hafte Tir and Enghelab Squares. They have also taken over roads leading to Hafte Tir from the north. Already several people can been in police vans and filling out forms giving out their identity. These people were arrested likely for being part of the opposition. One youth was arrested from Hafte Tir because he was wearing a Green bandana.

The report adds that armed security forces carrying batons are also boarding metro cars in Tehran to seek out any Greens traveling to protest. Security forces have also created checkpoints in Tehran and are stopping and searching people, arresting those with any links with Greens.

0835 GMT

Reports from activists partially confirm that Greens will protest in Tehran today. Unconfirmed reports suggests Shiraz as holding a Green protest as well. Thus far, no Greens have been sighted.

0812 GMT

Mir Hossein Mousavi has reportedly called and spoken with Karroubi. (No news as to how this communication took place as phone lines at Karroubi’s house have been cut). He and his wife have both expressed readiness to join Karroubi in his house.

08:10 GMT

You can watch Ahmadinejad’s speech live here with English translation. His message is anti-Zionism, anti-Israel and anti-US as well as insisting that the current peace talks are a failure. (That was just to save some readers time).

0755 GMT

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is in Tehran and is being shown on TV addressing crowds of government supporters in Tehran University.

0745 GMT

Karroubi’s house has been completely surrounded by Basijis since early morning. They have now been joined by plainclothesmen on motorcycles. The government it seems is not ready to let Karroubi join the protests.

0705 GMT

Confirmed reports from Tehran suggest that internet in the city is extremely sluggish. It is close to impossible to access Yahoo!, Facebook, Gmail and other vital communication websites. The government claims it is because of technical difficulties, according to Rahe Sabz.

0655 GMT

Unconfirmed reports suggest Green Movement protesters might have started marching in Tehran already. However, the source has not been too reliable in the past so I’ll look for more sources. For now, I cannot confirm any protests or gatherings.

0650 GMT

Reports indicate that Yahoo and Gmail are both inaccessible at least in the central parts of Tehran. This cannot be fully confirmed as of yet. However, during past opposition protests, the government usually either makes key website inaccessible or cuts down the internet entirely to make communication impossible for dissidents.

0645 GMT

It seems the government is desperately trying to isolate opposition leader Mehdi Karroubi to stop him from joining any opposition protests. After last night’s brazen attack on his house, reports now suggest that phone lines to his house have been cut.

Whether this stops him from joining any protests remains to be seen.

0555 GMT

Today is Quds Day, a day marked by the Iranian government by holding huge public rallies to denounce Israel. Last year’s protest was disrupted when the opposition Green Movement held a protest of their own that drew thousands to the street, chanting anti-government slogans.

We have a confirmation from several activists that the Green Movement has planned yet another countrywide today to decry the government’s actions during and after the election. The opposition seems to have chosen to delay the word from spreading for fear of government tightening security days ahead of today’s Quds Day gatherings. So far, people have not started gathering. However, in the next hour or so, people are expected to come to the streets to take part in the government-held protest against Israel. Whether there will be a Green Movement protest or not remains to be seen.

Security across the capital is tight. I will be updating more as news from Tehran comes in.

0530 GMT

I shall be covering the Green Movement protests in Iran here. Updates will start in 15 minutes time.

Analysis and Preview of June 12 Protests in Iran

Blog, Dictator Watch, Freedom of Speech, General, Human Rights, Iran, Media, Middle East, News Related, News and Opinion 4 Responses »

Jun 122010

(If you wish to read my liveblog of June 12′s events, please CLICK HERE)

The people of Iran today yet again proved that intimidation, imprisonment, torture, rapes, shootings and deaths were not going to deter them from continuing to oppose the Islamic Republic’s brutality and unjust policies. In that sense, it was a clear victory for the Green Movement. They managed to land people on the streets on the day that they wanted and the government – even though it employed thousands of security forces – was unable to stop them. This is despite the fact that opposition leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi had canceled the plans for the protest.

The reason behind this is most probably the fact that the protesters caught the government off-guard and showed incredible resilience. Instead of publicizing their intentions of protesting or declaring their routes of procession beforehand. They quietly let the government feel like they were not going to show up – but did.

Through my sources, I could fully confirm protests in the city of Tehran. I had only partial confirmation, however, of protests in Shiraz, Mashhad, Isfahan and Zahedan. There were six other cities where there were reports of protests. These include Tabriz, Sari, Kerman, Sanandaj, Ahvaz and Aryashahr, but I haven’t been able to confirm any of them, yet.

(Scroll down past the map to read the rest of the analysis)

Sari and Aryashahr are not indicated in the map but there locations have been marked in violet as well.

The government – no matter how surprised – did have the manpower to put up a resistance, though.

In Tehran today, people took to streets after 4 in the afternoon and protests were held in different parts of the city. The students of Tehran University staged a gathering and anti-government slogans as well as the popular slogan, “the student dies; but does not accept humiliation!” Security forces clashed with them and arrested at least six students – injuring many more in the process. Tear gas was fired at protesters, and there were unconfirmed reports of shots being fired, but no injuries were reported from gunshot wounds. Students were injured, though, when they were beaten with batons, kicked and punched by riot police and plainclothesmen who had surrounded the campus.

A second group of protesters tried to converge from different parts of Tehran upon the university to try and break the siege, but security forces managed to hold them back by blocking major streets with thousands of policemen, riot police and plainclothesmen.

Other groups formed at Valiasr Square where at least three were arrested and several were injured in clashes with security forces. Tear gas was used here as well as Vanak Square where more protesters had gathered. Clashes took place there too, but no reports of arrests could be confirmed as of yet. People chanted “Death to the Dictator” and “Death to Khamenei”. At the same time, students at Sharif University gathered inside their campus and chanted “Ya Hossein; Mir Hossein” and “Allah o Akbar”, but were prevented from coming out by security forces.

By far the bloodiest clashes took place in Enghelab Square. The square as well as its adjoining streets was filled by at least 5,000 members of Iran’s security forces. At least 12 protesters were detained here. People also managed to gather in Taleghani Square, Palestine Square, Ferdowsi Square, Hafez Bridge, near Laleh Park, Argentine Park and other areas.

There were reports of arrests near Laleh Park and from other areas, but so far, the confirmed number of arrests stands at 21. The number is almost certainly higher than this. Some sources have claimed the number to be over 100.

Due to the small numbers of videos available, the estimated number of protesters is anyone’s guess. However, it looks like today the streets had at least 10,000 security forces patrolling them – this number I can confirm. I cannot confirm any deaths or anyone getting shot. This is a better development since in the past few protests there have been casualties on the protesters’ side.

There were two unconfirmed reports that merit a mention. The first one claimed that shots were heard from the government-owned broadcasting agency IRIB and that several of its staff members were held hostage by security forces inside the building. The second report claimed that some protesters had managed to break into security forces’ vehicles and managed to take their helmets and other equipment. These are yet to be confirmed.

As far as other cities go, reports are few and far between. However, reliable sources in Tehran and these cities managed to smuggle the news of protests out. There are no videos of protests in these cities so far, but in the next few hours, there probably will be.

Considering the fact that the Iranian government had amassed an army of security personnel to stop protesters from gathering, today’s events are a clear sign that the government is failing as it had failed in the past to quell the uprising. Whether the future holds more victories for the government or the Green Movement is as yet uncertain. But protesters returning from gatherings in Tehran were very optimistic and cheerful. Some indicated on blogs that it was a “great day” while others called it; “the day I learned that we really are countless.”

From all this, one thing looks certain, though,: the successful protests despite the government’s pressure is surely going to give a strong morale boost to the Green Movement and likely make another dent in the cracking walls of the Islamic Republic.

(If you are looking for videos of the protest, please CLICK HERE)

Live-Blog: Street Protests in Iran - February 11 / 22 Bahman

Freedom of Speech, General, Human Rights, Iran, Media, Middle East, News Related 22 Responses »

Feb 112010

The writing says, "Bahman (the eleventh month of the Iranian calendar) - You are the media"

6:40 PM (Tehran Time)

I will stop liveblogging now. There are still reports of small protests in Tehran and other cities, but people are largely returning home. Here’s a brief summary of the day’s events in Iran:

I can so far confirm green protests in Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz, Mashhad and Ahvaz. I can partially confirm a protest in Tabriz. I cannot say anything about numbers, but violence broke out in every city where I can confirm a protest. Dozens were arrested in Tehran – possibly hundreds. 100 people were arrested in Mashhad and about two dozen were arrested in Shiraz and Isfahan respectively.

Oppostion leaders:

Mousavi: Attended, but forced to leave.

Rahnavard: Was attacked, forced to leave.

Karroubi: Attacked, forced to leave.

Khatami: Attacked, forced to leave.

Video of the day:

I will write a more complete report in a few hours. Good night and good luck, until then.

6:33 PM (Tehran Time)

Mir Hossein Mousavi attempted to take part in the protests in Tehran today. He was on Azadi Avenue, headed towards Azadi Square when security forces intercepted and surrounded him near the Ministry of Hajj and Religious Affairs. He was forced to return home.

Dr. Zahra Rahnavard, Mousavi’s wife, was attacked in Tehran today as well as she joined green protesters. She was beaten with batons and kicked by security forces even though pro-green protesters tried to protect her by surrounding her. She left the protest for home soon after.

6:23 PM (Tehran Time)

Protester being beaten in Tehran by riot police:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kSBWG2rBV8

6:12 PM (Tehran Time)

As reports of clashes from Tehran continue to arrive, there are more reports of the number of arrests in the city. According to reliable sources, dozens have been arrested in Tehran, however, the real number might be in the hundreds. So far, people continue to stay on the streets of Tehran and are chanting anti-government slogans.

There are no real number of casualties from the streets in Tehran. There are reports of brutal clashes from many parts of the city, though.

4:41 PM (Tehran Time)

Part of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s speech in Azadi Square:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_Wv1tiaiC4

4:30 PM (Tehran Time)

Another very interesting video from Tehran has arrived. Protesters are shown kicking and tearing a picture of Khamenei and chanting, “Death to the Dictator”:

4:15 PM (Tehran Time)

Two new videos of Greens in Tehran from Jaras:

In the second video, you can hear the loudspeakers broadcasting passionate speeches about the Islamic Revolution:

4:08 PM (Tehran Time)

Reports coming out of Iran are very scarce today indeed. However, it has been reported that the security forces’ treatment of green supporters has been one of the most bloody in the past few months. Enduring America reports that, [In an interview with Deutsche Welle, Hossein Karroubi declared, “I witnessed the most brutal treatment of people in the past eight months today."]

Here is a video of tear gas and smoke in Tehran amidst the protesters:

4:06 PM (Tehran Time)

A reported video from Isfahan of the protests and government rallies:

4:00 PM (Tehran Time)

In Mashhad, security forces have arrested at least 100 people from different parts of the city who were taking part in protests in support of the Green Movement. Clashes were mainly centered around Taghi-abad Square where people wanted to gather. Security forces tried to beat people and prevent them from forming crowds.

3:56 PM (Tehran Time)

In Tehran, clashes have now also been reported from the northern part of the city. According to reliable reports, people were beaten and several were arrested at Vanak Square. This adds to dozens who have already been arrested from Tehran. Clashes were also reported from Kargare Shomali Avenue.

There were also reports that near Laleh Park, security forces shot at people with paint guns so they could later be identified and arrested.

3:44 PM (Tehran Time)

In Shiraz, at least twenty people were arrested after taking part in protests in support of the Green Movement. There were injuries or deaths reported, however, small clashes are said to have taken place between security forces and protesters.

3:34 PM (Tehran Time)

In Ahvaz, people marched through Salman Farsi Avenue towards Abadan Square. People also marched from Hosseiniyae Azam through Taleghani Avenue towards Naderi Square. They are chanting “Death to the Dictator”. Security forces have blocked Behbahani Boulevard and are preventing people’s movement. Scattered groups are also protesting in other parts of the city.

3:30 PM (Tehran Time)

Protests in Isfahan can now be confirmed. Thousands of people reportedly gathered in the city in support of the Green Movement. People mostly gathered on both sides of Si o Se Pol. People chanted ‘Allah o Akbar’ and ‘Ya Hossein; Mir Hossein’. Clashes were reported from Isfahan. Tear gas was also used and security forces fired shots in the air in order to try and disperse the crowds.

At least five people were reportedly arrested.

3:24 PM (Tehran Time)

People throwing stones at Basijis and chanting “Death to the Dictator”:

3:07 PM (Tehran Time)

Video of Basijis attacking people in Tehran:

1:10 PM (Tehran Time)

Another video from the Metro in Tehran:

1:07 PM (Tehran Time)

New video from protests at Vesal Street in Tehran:

1:00 PM (Tehran Time)

Reformist news site Jaras reports that Rafsanjani joined the rallies in Tehran. Likely, he joined the government-sponsored rallies. People reportedly chanted, “Hashemi, Hashemi; insight, insight”.

12:50 PM (Tehran Time)

Another video from today in Tehran in a metro station:

12:47 PM (Tehran Time)

Another video from today in Tehran. This time from inside a bus:

12:33 PM (Tehran Time)

First video of the day from Metro Station in Sadeghie. People are chanting “Referendum, Referendum; this is people’s slogan”:

12:30 PM (Tehran Time)

It has now been confirmed that Karroubi’s son and bodyguards were arrested, but bodyguards were later released by security forces in Tehran. Karroubi’s son Ali has been released too now.

12:22 PM (Tehran Time)

Here is a map of where the protests are taking place in Tehran right now: http://twitpic.com/12jjew

12:18 PM (Tehran Time)

Here’s an impromptu translation of Ahmadinejad’s full speech in Tehran from today. As usual, he just blames the rest of the world for everything: http://www.twitlonger.com/show/8b41g

12:15 PM (Tehran Time)

There are now unconfirmed reports of a protest in clashes in Shiraz.

12:10 PM (Tehran Time)

There are reports that thousands of people have gathered in Isfahan in support of the green movement. This can be confirmed through at least two sources.

12:00 PM (Tehran Time)

Reports confirm that security forces shot at people at Aryashahr/Sadeghie a short while ago. There are no reports on the casualties.

11:54 AM (Tehran Time)

Multiple sources have now confirmed that Reza Khatami and his wife Zahra Ishraghi – who is Imam Khomeini’s grand daughter – were released after a brief detention. Full confirmation is going to come in a short while.

11:30 AM (Tehran Time)

Multiple sources have now confirmed that former President Mohammad Khatami’s brother, Reza Khatami, and Reza’s wife Zahra Isghraghi have been arrested.

11:23 AM (Tehran Time)

Reports now indicate that after the attacks, both Karroubi and Khatami have gone home. However, in disturbing news, several people have been arrested in Tehran. Among the people arrested is Karroubi’s son, Ali Karroubi. This has been confirmed by several sources now.

11:18 AM (Tehran Time)

There are now reports that Khatami’s car was attacked by security forces in Tehran. So far, there is little to confirm this. Details coming in.

11:12 AM (Tehran Time)

Karroubi’s son has confirmed the attack on his father’s car in Sadeghie. In other news, former President Mohammad Khatami also joined the celebrations of 22 Bahman – not the protests – according to Parlemaan News, which is considered close to the reformist leader.

10:53 AM (Tehran Time)

Reliable sources confirm that opposition leader Mehdi Karroubi has been injured. Reportedly, his head was bleeding as he was rushed out of Azadi Square by his entourage. (Read below for further information regarding the attack on Karroubi.)

10:50 AM (Tehran Time)

A reliable source reports that there are now clashes in both Sadeghie and Enghelab Squares. According to the source, tear gas has been liberally used by the security forces at Enghelab Square in Tehran. The air around that part of the city is still filled with the gas and protesters have been beaten.

10:44 AM (Tehran Time)

Confirmation of a very important development is at hand. Reportedly, Mehdi Karroubi’s car was attacked as he arrived in Sadeghie in Tehran. The windows of his car were broken, he was beaten and had to flee. Several reliable sources have confirmed this. In other reports, people are chanting “Marg bar Dictator” (Down with the Dictator) in Azadi Square, Tehran.

10:34 AM (Tehran Time)

IRIB shows supposed video of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Azadi Square. Notice how the audio has been turned off:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0P629e7vGk

10:28 AM (Tehran Time)

It has now been confirmed by several reliable sources that Ahmadinejad is at Azadi Square in Tehran indeed. Although, there is no footage available showing Iran’s president there.

10:21 AM (Tehran Time)

Apparently the government-run media in Iran is showing doctored from previous public gatherings in order to block out green protesters from the TV screen. Here’s a purported video from IRIB:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLJ8eMFyxHs

10:03 AM (Tehran Time)

There are reports that clashes have begun between security forces and protesters in Central Tehran – mainly in Sadeghie, where Mehdi Karroubi is expected to arrive within a short while. This could not be confirmed through other sources yet. There are now also reports that there have been clashes at Azadi Square in Central Tehran.

9:54 AM (Tehran Time)

Balatarin.com reports that internet access in Tehran has become extremely slow. So far there are no videos, pictures or audio of protests inside Iran. There are new reports that people have started chanting at Azadi Square.

9:36 AM (Tehran Time)
Opposition websites report that Basijis have gathered in different parts of Tehran to stop protesters and disperse them. Reports add that hundreds have gathered in Kargare Shomali Avenue, Amirabad Avenue and in front of the IRIB – the main government-run broadcasting service. PressTV also confirms riot trucks being deployed in Tehran.

9:24 AM (Tehran Time)

There are more reports that protesters have gathered in Tabriz. I can so far not confirm this fully. There are also unconfirmed reports that the Iranian government-run media is not showing live footage of today’s commemoration of the revolution ceremonies. This is possibly because there are too many protesters and the government does not wish to show that to the general populace, especially in the villages. Also reports that some protesters have started taking down loudspeakers installed on street lights poles to broadcast government speeches. This could not be confirmed yet.

A video of those loudspeakers in Tehran:

9:20 AM (Tehran Time)

More sources are confirming now that people have started to converge upon the central part of Tehran. The numbers are as expected much higher than the expectation of the government. In some areas, there are already more people than security available to control or disperse them. Crowds have already gathered at Azadi Square and more are supposedly headed towards the other main squares in the city.

9:17 AM (Tehran Time)

Crowds in Tehran are slowly coming out. People are generally headed in the direction of the central part of the city which has seen protests in the past. People are reportedly also gathering at Sadeghie Square where opposition leader Mehdi Karroubi has said he will join the crowds. So far, there is no news whether he will indeed join the protesters. There is also no confirmation whether Mir Hossein Mousavi – the main opposition leader – or former President Mohammad Khatami will be joining the protesters.

9:12 AM (Tehran Time)

Tehran – especially the central part of the city – is slowly being packed by security forces. According to partially confirmed reports, riot trucks have also started to arrive in the central part of the city where most of the protesters are expected to gather.

9:07 AM (Tehran Time)

EPersian Radio, a private radio operating from the United States, has the first substantial news of the day. According to EPersian, people have already started to gather on the streets of Central Tabriz. This could not be immediately confirmed through our other sources. According to EPersian, people are chanting, “Today is the day of blood; Yazid will be overthrown”.

7:00 AM (Tehran Time)

Iran is commemorating the 31st anniversary of the Islamic Revolution that changed the shape of the country and brought in an oppressive theocratic regime – headed by conservative Shi’ite clerics. The opposition Green Movement has planned massive protests for today throughout the country. I’ll be liveblogging the events starting in a little over an hour from now.

The only news coming in at this point is that Tehran and other parts of the country are currently under tight security by the police and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard. People have not showed up yet because it is too early in the morning. Protesters should start coming out onto streets in a couple of hours. I will be updating and tweeting simultaneously as the protests happen through the day.

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