Green wrist bands and V-signs—the signs of protest and, most importantly, HOPE in Iran.I
Dear All,
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A young friend returning from Iran recently reported that an amazingly high percentage of people continue to wear green wristbands on a daily basis. Strangers passing by on the street, make “V” signs for victory, smile, and carry on with their daily activities. According to her, the nightly chants continue, and despite the pressures and the presence of police, there is a sense of hope.
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Important Upcoming Event
* Thursday, July 30th will witness another major even in Iran. The day marks, the 40th day of the death of those who lost their lives in the protests immediately following the election. Mr. Mousavi’s Facebook page has posted the details of the events of the day which will culminate in a mass candle light vigil after 6:00 pm in Tehran’s public prayer hall “Musalla” on Resalat. Here is more detail for participants: http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=113619942605&ref=mf.
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Bigger Cracks Appearing in the System
* As pro-reform Iranians prepare to commemorate the 40th day of the death of Neda Agha Soltan and other people killed in the first wave of anti-election protests, bigger and deeper cracks appear inside the regime mostly in the form of major frictions between Mr. Ahmadinejad and the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. During the past few days, ample evidence of this has come to the surface. There is an excellent article on this significant development in Tehran Bureau: http://tehranbureau.com/looming-confrontation-khamenei-irgc/.
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Mr. Ahmadinejad in Charge of the Ministry of Intelligence
* In a highly unusual move, after firing Mr. Ezhei, the minister of intelligence, Mr. Ahmadinejad has taken over the ministry and ordered the deputy minister, Mr. Alavi to report to him directly.
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Recent Demonstrations in Tehran
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* Demonstrators are careful to for small, loud, and fast groups who can protest and run before the riot police moves in. Here is one such demonstration happening near the Iranian state-run TV and Radio:
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Amazing Live Interview
* Yesterday, a reporter was speaking to people on the street reporting for a live youth radio program. As she was asking about people’s boycott of text messing, a Basij Officer approached and tried to intimidate her by asking fro her ID card and telling her to approach the police car. She provided her reporter ID but refused to go to the car. In the meantime, she questioned the officer’s behavior and legality of his action while engaging him in a conversation. As he finally was leaving she said “I am not sure why you are acting this way, but I hope you are not too upset after hearing yourself on the radio.” Millions of people heard the live interview and talked about it. Unfortunately there is no translation available.
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Outstanding Documentary by Rakhshan Bani Etemad
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* I have to give you this superb documentary by the acclaimed Iranian director Rakhshan Bani Etemad about what the current women’s movements demanded in the current election. I hope the subtitled version appears soon. In the meantime, those of you who know Persian, enjoy:
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Part1:
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Part 2:
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Part 3:
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Part 4:
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Part 5:
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Three Women: 66, 70, and 73
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* The on-line news “iReport” posts this amazing phone call from Iran by a 66 year old woman who, together with two friends 70 and 73, go out to protest the regime everyday. The most amazing thing is that despite the difficulties and tragedies that she refers to, she is filled with hope for change and with an amazing positive energy. I know many of you won’t be able to follow the call in Persian. fortunately, the site provides a translation. Do please share with others: http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-301284.
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A fun little Slide Show: Look Again Mr. Ahmadinejad!
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Does not look to me like Mr. Khatami is bowing down to Mr. Chirac or anything?!?!
* During the presidential debates, Mr. Ahmadinejad projected an image of himself as the protector of the dignity of the Iranian nation. According to this scenario, all the previous presidents, particularly reformists were presented as week and subservient to the west. In the process, Mr. Ahmadinejad quoted many half truths, exaggerated and edited versions of events. One such case was his reference to a visit that Mr. Khatami made to France during his presidency. According to Mr. Ahmadinejad, this was a sad day for Iranians because their president run up the stairs to greet Mr. Chirac whereas the French President stood on top of the stairs to snub his Iranian counterpart. Aftab News has just published the photos of that visit and the caption reads “Look again Mr. Ahmadinejad!” Let’s end this window with a little slide show of that visit which is now famous in Iran: Look Again Mr. Ahmadinejad!
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Don’t forget to share http://www.windowsoniran.wordpress.com with friends and acquaintances.
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Good Night,
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Fatemeh
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Fatemeh Keshavarz, Professor and Chair
Dept. of Asian and Near Eastern Languages and Literatures
Washington University in St. Louis
Honorary Co-Chair, Iranians For Peace
Tel: (314) 935-5156
Fax: (314) 935-4399
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