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Tuesday, June 16, 2009

International People in the Streets

Posted by Eli Sanders on Tue, Jun 16, 2009 at 9:42 AM

Via Sullivan, some video of today's opposition rally in Tehran:

And via The Lede, more from President Obama:

When I see violence directed at peaceful protesters, when I see peaceful dissent being suppressed, wherever that takes place, it is of concern to me and it is of concern to the American people. That is not how governments should interact with their people...

Something has happened in Iran... a questioning of the kinds of antagonistic postures towards the international community that have taken place in the past. That there are people who want to see greater openness and greater debate and want to see greater democracy. How that plays out over the next several days and several weeks is something for the Iranian people to decide.

Comments (8) RSS

Oldest First Unregistered On Registered On Add a comment

our spontaneous election night street party seems so insignificant now.

Posted by Carollani

on June 16, 2009 at 9:58 AM

Where's Waldo?

Posted by Urgutha Forka on June 16, 2009 at 10:17 AM

They got balls.

Posted by PC on June 16, 2009 at 10:27 AM

Thanks for posting these.

Posted by kim in portland

on June 16, 2009 at 10:30 AM

@ 1 right.. we shoulda done this in 2004.

Posted by reverend dr dj riz on June 16, 2009 at 10:39 AM

Meanwhile, the political elites in power in Iran are safe, so all they have to do is hold out and ignore the crowds, since nobody will actually rebel against them. Protests only work when those protested against have something to lose by continuing with their behavior.

Posted by Will in Seattle

on June 16, 2009 at 10:56 AM

#6, are you nuts? protests like this change things all the time. ever heard of tieneman square?

Posted by douglas on June 16, 2009 at 12:45 PM

I rest my case, douglas.

So long as the protesters engage only the cops or secret police or militia, the power elites have won.

They need to take the battle to the power elites. Directly. While refusing to engage during the mass street protests.

Posted by Will in Seattle

on June 16, 2009 at 2:10 PM