Posts Tagged
‘censorship’

As happens in the news, no matter the gravity of the event, a new, more marketable story begins to replace older stories on the front pages. Unfortunately, in this case, the “older story” happens to be the suppression, beating and killing of Iranians who have taken to the streets over the past two weeks, simply asking for a fair election.

As domestic news agencies find an easy story in the recent Governor Sanford saga, the unflinching and unapologetic violence rages on in the streets of Tehran. Take a moment to listen to an unnerving account of a young Iranian woman who joined the call to restore democracy in Iran.

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Four members of the Iranian football team have been ‘retired’ for wearing green arm bands in protest of the election in Iran.

This is amazing (and not in a good way).

The Iranian government has “taken revenge by imposing life bans on players who sported green wristbands in a recent World Cup match in protest against Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s disputed re-election.”

“According to the pro-government newspaper Iran, four players – Ali Karimi, 31, Mehdi Mahdavikia, 32, Hosein Ka’abi, 24 and Vahid Hashemian, 32 – have been “retired” from the sport after their gesture in last Wednesday’s match against South Korea in Seoul.”

We have to keep showing our support for those who are peacefully protesting for a free and fair election system.

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Today marks the eleventh day since the presidential elections in Iran. In the fallout of sub-par election honesty and government censoring of technology, violence erupted, and protests here in the states and abroad have attracted media attention.

In combing through the hundreds of articles and links you have sent us, along with signing our Statement of Support, one website stood out as the most phenomenal depiction of the frustration, passion, and anger which has taken place over the past ten days in Iran.  Check out The Boston Globe’s photo essay of what’s been happening.

You will see the streets of Iran full of people protesting for their right to a fair election and you will feel their outrage at the inhumane violence that has taken place.  Such violence captured global attention on Saturday as a young woman named Neda was shot in the chest during a protest. Neda’s video and pictures of her blood-spattered face have become the iconic figurehead for the opposition’s campaign for change.

We urge you to view this photo documentation of the past week and a half in Iran and look at the young people, the people your age as Neda was, who are fighting for what they believe in. It is not time to stop listening to the news or showing your support. The Iranians are still protesting and fighting, and some of them are dying.

Today, log onto Facebook, as you may do anyway, and search for a rally or protest in your city. Go out and stand in solidarity with Iranian-Americans who have family members in these photographs. Print out a sign to take with you. If you cannot find a protest near you, you can still take action by educating a friend, forwarding our Statement of Support, or even simply by viewing these images for yourself.

Maybe someday beauty pageant contestants will get what they hope for: world peace. Paying attention to the situation in Iran is certainly a good first step.

-Hannah, Rock the Vote

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There are so many reasons why this effort for free and fair elections in Iran rings a cord for so many of us here in America. It is not what democracy looks like and we need to stand up in support of those who are fighting and dying for a free country.

We’ve asked people both here and abroad to express how they feel about this and want to hear from you.

Sign the statement of support for the Iranian people and add your own voice.

We’ll post your statement on our site along with the thousands of other messages of support that have come streaming in. Here’s a snapshot of some of them:

“I am supporting the Free People of Iran who have taken to the streets to fight for their rights. I am in awe of their courage and their passion for justice.” ~ Otep Shamaya

“The spirit and determination of these protesters are amazing. Please keep the fight going, don’t lose hope…justice and freedomfrom tyranny are worth the sacrifice. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.”  ~ Jennifer D.

“Keep fighting for your rights… it will come to fruition some day!”  ~ Kristy S

“keep fighting for freedom.” ~ Danpats M.

“KEEP THE FAITH! STAY STRONG! GOD BLESS YOU!” ~ Donna S.

“Good luck in having every vote cast, the true voice of the people.” ~ Dolores A.

You guys rock! Keep fighting! We support you and are watching your every move. You are an inspiration!!!”                   ~ Jennifer H.

“To the voters of Iran…freedom is not free, as history teaches. I support your fight to change your system of government. Good luck in your attempts to impose the will of the Iranian people. May you succeed. Peace and God Bless,” ~ MAF–New York City

“Stay strong”  ~ Christina C.

“Stand strong and you will not fail!”  ~ Andre B.

“Keep on keepin on. Good luck.”  ~ James T.

“You are no alone, We are all with you!” ~ Janeth R.

“We are watching and thinking of you. We support your right to free elections!” ~ Michelle G.

“Take control of your destiny. Don’t let maniacal leaders lead you down the path to war, and destroy your country and your culture.” ~ David Y.

What’s your message to the Iranian people?

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From today’s New York Times:

“Threatening to crush dissent, the powerful Revolutionary Guards warned protesters Monday that they would face a “revolutionary confrontation” if they returned to the streets in their challenge to the presidential election results and their defiance of the country’s leadership.

The warning, on the Guards’ Web site, was issued despite an admission by Iran’s most senior panel of election monitors that the number of votes cast in 50 cities exceeded the actual number of voters, according to a state television report two days after the country’s supreme leader pronounced the ballot to be fair.”

(emphasis added)

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