Normally I try to stick to consumer and constitutional rights in this blog, but I found myself moved by a story that I found today coming from Iran. Unless you have been living under a rock for the last 2 weeks you would know that the results of the recent Iranian presidential elections has created a hailstorm of anger from the citizens of Iran and of the world. Riots have been breaking out. Peaceful demonstrations have been disrupted by violent Iranian police and military forces. One such demonstration recently turned deadly for a young woman.
More and more over the next couple weeks you will hear about the brief, but powerful story of a young woman named Neda. According to reports coming from Iran she was attending a peaceful demonstration when a member of the Basij forces shot her as she stood next to her father. In the video you can see the young woman falling over and been caught by two men then slowly lowered to the ground. The older of the two men, presumably her father, starts saying her name “Neda” over and over again. As she lies on the ground you can see her eyes jumping about, confusion, suprise, and terror etched across her face. Then the worst starts to happen, blood starts running out of her mouth and nose, she loses conciousness. Within seconds her father realizes that there is nothing that can be done for her. Panic fills his voice as he starts crying and screaming her name.
This horrifying scene is difficult to take in, but it symbolizes the struggle and danger now facing any Iranians that are openly offended by the way the election was conducted and the results found. As the violence continues to escalate, the President Ahmadinejad and the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei are losing more and more control of the citizens of Iran. Protesters are chanting “death to the dictator”. Many forms of comunication are being blocked in Iran including most social networking websites, cell phones, and text messaging. Foreign reporters are barred from reporting on any news of the protests in Iran. But messages are still getting out. The world is listening.
I don’t know how much longer this can continue before the world reacts. We must put more pressure on the Iranian government to conduct themselves peacefully and actually listen to the concerns of its people. If they want another election and a real chance at a fair election then give it to them. Unfortunately events like this cannot be handled by outside forces using military action. This must be solved by the people of Iran, for now. We can only directly intercede at the behest of the Iranian citizens. This could quickly unfold into a new revolution or coup or possibly even a full-blown civil war.
The video has appeared on YouTube and several other websites, but it has been taken down from there. But it can still be viewed. To see it please follow the link below. I warn you it is VERY graphic and I would not recommend small children seeing it.
http://www.javno.com/en-world/video–young-iran-woman-shot-in-the-heart_266818
Tags: Elections, Human Rights, Iran, Justice, Politics, Protests
If you are participating in the Iranian Riots or know someone who is and wish to remain safe? Let me help by showing you how to distinguish between those who are angry and those who are lethal. http://www.aggressionmanagemen.....n-Iran.htm