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| Axis of Evil |
| Iran Student Protests Grow |
| 2002-11-12 |
| Thousands of Iranian students ignored official warnings and demonstrated for the fourth day running Tuesday against a dissident's death sentence and to demand freedom of speech and political reform. Some 5,000 students gathered at Tehran University, once the hotbed of revolutionary fervour that overthrew the shah two decades ago, in support of academic Hashem Aghajari, sentenced to hang for questioning clerical rule in the Islamic Republic. ``The execution of Aghajari is the execution of the university,'' demonstrators chanted. ``Political prisoners should be freed.'' Is it time yet? The momentum of protests appeared to be growing, with bigger crowds in Tehran each day and demonstrations spreading to the provincial cities of Tabriz, Isfahan, Urumiyeh and Hamedan. Following their rally in Tehran, students marched through the vast university campus, holding hands and singing ``Ey Iran'' — a popular nationalist song that pre-dates the 1979 Islamic revolution. When they reached the locked university gates, some tried to force them open and shouted at police and passers-by on the other side. ``Nation, shame on you for your silence. We don't want spectators, join us.'' Despite the unusually bold slogans, which included insults against top political figures such as powerful former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, watching police did not intervene. When the coppers start joining them, then it'll be time... Thanks to Steve for the link! |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |
| #1 It's almost time: the coppers did nothing, which IS an improvement. |
| Posted by: Ptah 2002-11-12 14:40:15 |