HERE’S A REPORT from the Washington, DC pro-Iranian-freedom protest:
Amid reports that hundreds of Iranian pro-democracy protesters clashed with Islamic vigilantes and police in Tehran, hundreds gathered in Washington D.C. in a show of support for democratic change in Iran. The demonstrations in both capitals were called to mark the fourth anniversary of violent student protests in Tehran. A sea of red, white and green Iranian flags waved over the front lawn of the U.S. Capitol, as the message of pro-democracy demonstrators was heard loud and clear.
Read the rest. (Via Pejman Yousefzadeh, who has lots more on this subject).
UPDATE: Reader Richard Gardner emails this firsthand report:
I haven’t seen any blog report of the DC protest, and I don’t have a blog, so I’m sending this out FYI.
I swung by the rally On the Capitol’s West-side today, on the grass just below the steps. I’d guess 300-500 participants, almost all Iranian (99%), all ages. Lots of families. There were lots of banners and Iranian flags. The participants were well dressed and focused on their issue, unlike the “anti-war” protests this past winter. But there were few non-Iranian participants (under 10) in the audience. This event was totally different from other protests I’ve seen in this town. (No stilts or funny costumes either!)
The VOA was there, conducting TV interviews in Farsi. I did see some TV broadcast equipment being taken away, but I couldn’t tell if it was there for the protest. I only noticed one probable print journalist. I saw a couple of people that looked like they could be bloggers, taking notes. So don’t expect much press coverage.
Between speakers, there was chanting of slogans in English and Farsi, “Go, go, go, the Islamic regime of Iran must go;” “We want democracy for Iran, freedom for Iran;” “Down with the mullahs, down with Hezbollah;” “Down with the Islamic regime;” “Freedom, freedom for Iran.” (I now know that “down with” in Farsi sounds something like “mag bye.”). Periodic music too.
Several members of Congress came out and gave short speeches of support, including Senators Coleman (R-MN) and Brownback (R-KS), Congressman Rohrabacher (R-CA) and Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D-CA). Lots of speeches in English and Farsi (50-50). The Iranian speakers stressed freeing the political prisoners, getting rid of corrupt mullahs and Hezbollah, supporting the student protests, and bringing freedom and democracy to Iran. There was no mention of the monarchy.
The only anti-West theme I saw was on signs against British Petroleum’s activities in Iran, supporting the regime. And only two women had their heads covered with non-Western headgear (lots of regular hats on a very hot day). The only theme I heard that I disagreed with was a chant for the UN to help Iran. My thought was, be careful what you wish for.
In addition to the ever present large Iranian flags being waved about on long PVC staffs, there were quite a few posters with photos of men and women being hung from cranes, the results of whippings and torture, and what seems to be the symbol of the resistance to the mullahs, a young man holding up a bloody T-shirt. (A drawing of it can be seen here http://www.cafeshops.com/activistchat)
On the sidewalk outside the protest, two Americans were holding a big banner stating “US Hands off Iran.” Some Iranians then stationed themselves in front of these counter-protesters with their own banners, obscuring it. The counter-protesters then relocated across the street. But where were the non-Iranian protesters showing support for democracy in Iran? Nowhere to be found.
The Free Iran, anti-mullah groups have a website, http://www.activistchat.com.
“Hands off Iran.” How typically amoral, yet schoolmarmish.