Green With :N:V:: June 2010

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

News Update - June 29, 2010

Petitions:

Halt Executions - Save Zeinab Jalalian!

News Links

Campaign Intensifies in Iran to Spare a Kurdish Activist

Mehdi Karroubi Confronted by Regime Thugs at Sharif University

Iran condemns human rights violations in Canada

Majid Tavakoli Suffering from Severe Abdominal Bleeding

Rahana: Our New Name: “Human Rights House of Iran”

Who's in Charge?

Selected Headlines from the Tehran Bureau - June 29, 2010

Rafsanjani Criticizes Iranian Political Situation

Babol Political Activist Ali Tari on Prison Leave

Ali Behzadiannejad in Adverse Physical Condition

Families of Evin Ward 350 Political Prisoners Request from Tehran Prosecutor

AUT Student Activist Behzad Heydari Released

From Twitter

- 1 student from the uprising 11 yrs ago is still in prison under torture. He is Behrooz Javid Tehrani.

- 1/2) Yaser Ghanei has been sentenced to 5 yrs by a court in Mashhad for video taping protests & cyber activities.

- 2/2) In a 2nd case Ghanei is charged with insulting Ahmadi. He has not been sentenced for that yet.

- Saied Kalanaki was sentenced to 3 yrs in prison for being an HR activist, Gov charges just bunch of BS.

- 1/2) Karoubi: It saddens me that the Basij force that once defended this country is now reduced to...

- 2/2) ---beating people inside the mosques, cheating in the election & killing people on the streets.

- Journalist Masoud Lavasani has been released on bail for an 8 day leave from prison. He is sentenced to 6 yrs.

- Ali Tari Mousavi's campaign manager in Babol has been released on bail.

- Tabbas Prosecutor Gen: Women who do not observe proper Hejab will get up to 10 days in prison & fined.

- Teacher's Trade Assoc member Mokhtar Assadi was arrested on 6/26, his home searched & compu & items confiscated.

- MP Kaabi: The Administration does not release the true inflation rate to the people.

- Iran has sent a letter of protest to all 15 members of the UN Security Council re the sanctions resolution.

- After 1 yr in prison, Ali Bikas was found not guilty, exonerated of all charges & released from prison.

Photos

Azad Uni site has been hacked

Video

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

News Update - June 28, 2010

Petitions:

TAKE ACTION | Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani on the Verge of Death by Stones

News Links

Brother of Zeynab Jalalian: “Many have contacted to help, but no one has done anything”

Iran postpones any nuclear talks until late August

Prison Officials Ignore Deteriorating Health of Majid Tavakoli

Worker at Abadan oil refinery have started a protest leading to two arrests

Mashhad Baha’i Resident Hooman Bakhtavar Summoned to Prison

Sakine Mohammadi Ashtiani, Prosecute Leaders of the Islamic Republic! (English, Farsi and French)

Female Political Prisoner at Risk of Imminent Execution

Jaras: Intel forces attacked a group of students who were meeting at Azad UNI Tehran north campus (Farsi)

Zahra Rahnavard: "I breath with the green movement" (Farsi)

Assembly of Experts Chairman Criticizes Khamenei Again - Rafsanjani Islamic Republic in Chaos

Mahboubeh Khansari Released

Heavy Verdicts for Student Activists in Mousavi’s Campaign

Abdollah Momeni and Ali Arab-Mazar Transferred to Ward 350 of Evin Prison

From Twitter

- Rooz reports Osanlo's youngest son has been summoned to court. He was arrested & detained for 18 days last June.

- Zaynab Jalilian facing execution was tried without legal representation in a very short trial.

- Advar members Bahareh Hedayat & Milad Assadi were taken to court & told they are banned from leaving the country.

- Azad U students gathered were Mousavi campaign activist. Further info on the attack not available yet.

- Security forces attacked group of student gathered at Tehran Azad Uni Central Branch Mon evening.

- A year ago today, she was kidnapped, raped so brutally that she suffered a ruptured utters. She was Taraneh Mousavi.

- Journalist Mahboubeh Khonsari has been released on bail.

- Blogger Ali Behzadiyan Nejad suffering from Kidney stone in Ward 350. Proper med help has not been provided.

- Number of political prisoners from Ward 209, 7 & 8 have been moved to the already overcrowded Ward 350.

- Continued pressure on prisoners in Ward 350. Sunday ward 350 did not have running water for hours.

- Meeting of Azad Uni Founders was held. Mousavi was an invited guest. Ahmadinejad's appointed reps were not allowed in.

- Kurdish pol prisoner Hamed Baraie arrested 2 weeks ago has been moved from temp detention center to Saghez prison.

- 1 M signiture camp activist Mahboubeh Karami's court was not held as scheduled. Judge & prosecutor didnt show up.

- Karami has been in temporary detention for 4 months now. Her court date has been postponed to a later date.

- Amir Kabir Uni student Behzad Haydari arrested June 12 on Enqelab SQ has been released today.

- Zaynab Jalalian's brother says they have not heard from her in 1 month.

- Zaynab Jalalian's brother says his sister's court case file is lost, without it they can't have an attorney for her.

- Losing court case files has become the norm in IR justice system. Farzad Kamangar's file was missing also.

- Student activist Abdolah Yousefzadegan has been released on bail.

- About 400 Pars Metal workers picketed Ahmadi's office today protesting unpaid wages.

- Nahid Ghadiri started serving her 5 yr sentence today just for believing in Bahai faith.

- 19 y/o Arman Rezakhani's mother was arrested this AM after visiting him in Evin after 6 months of no visitation.

- 1) 4 Gorgan University students have been sentenced to prison terms.

- 2) Mobin Mir Arab 4 yrs, Housein Matloubi 18 months, Alireza Rahnamaie 15 months & Saman Bozorgi 1 yr.

Monday, June 28, 2010

News Update - June 27, 2010

Petitions:

UN Letter for Zainab Jalalian

Free Bahareh Hedayat HR activist in Iran!

News Links

Saber Abbasian: 105 Days in Detention on False Accusations, Lack of Accountability From Authorities

Parvaneh Osanloo: “We are innocent. We ask anyone who can to help us.”

Two Weeks After Babak Heshmat Saran’s Arrest, Whereabouts Unknown

RHAIR interview with lawyer Bahramian - Zaynab jalalian in danger of being executed (Farsi)

Prison Officials Ignore Deteriorating Health of Majid Tavakoli

Thousands Attend Iranian Opposition Rally in Taverny, France

Daughter-In-Law Suffered Miscarriage After Officers’ Attack

Battle Over Azad University Deepens Iran's Divisions

Iran's veiling restrictions to be decided by popular polls

Media Watchdog Criticizes Trial of Iranian 'Blogfather'

Khomeini's grandson calls for end to extremism

Abdollah Momeni and Ali Arab-Mazar Transferred to Ward 350 of Evin Prison

Isa Saharkhiz’s Dire Physical Condition at Rajai Shahr Prison

Second Court Hearing Held for Student Activist Ali Malihi

From Twitter

- Two people in the Zahedan incident have already received death & prosecution has asked for death for the other 6.

- Eight people in Zahedan face execution charged in last summer's Ali mosque explosion & fight that ensued.

- Political prisoner Ali Arabmazar has been moved to the already overcrowded Ward 350 in Evin.

- Student activist Behzad Bagheri in Esfahan prison since 5/29 was allowed 1st visit with family on Thurs.

- Mousavi camp activist Ghodratolah Mohamadi arrested Jun 09 in Kermanshah has been released on bail.

- Rajaishahr prison does not have proper medical facilities, yet prisoners in need of med help are denied med leave.

- As of yet, they have not returned the bodies of the 5 political prisoners they executed last month to their families.

- If they have buried 5 executed last month, they have not revealed their burial location so families can go to grave sites.

- Lesser known Green prisoner: Lawyer Faramarz Abdolahnejad in prison 1 yr, sentenced to 28 months, bail denied.

Video

Saturday, June 26, 2010

News Update - June 26, 2010

Petitions:

Isa (Issa) Saharkhiz: Request for his release from Evin Prison Iran

Zainab Jalalian

News Links

Parvaneh Osanloo - "My daughter in law suffered a miscarriage!"

Letter for Father’s Day by Shiva Nazar Ahari: “Dad, Stay Strong”

Amir Ali Aghayari in Prison Limbo for 11 Months

Families of Karaj Political Prisoners Complain of Inappropriate Prison Conditions

Documentary Filmmaker Mohammad Ali Shirzadi Released

Hossein Marashi and Akbar Ajdadi on Week-Long Prison Leave

From Twitter

- Rejaishahr prison does not have proper medical facilities, yet prisoners in need of med help are denied med leave.

- Mother of political prisoner: Every time I go to find out about my son, I am treated so badly that I am sick for few days

- 1) Judge in Behzad Mohajer's case is planning to close the case saying the murderer can not be found.

- 2) Behzad Mohajer was arrested during street protests last summer. He was killed under torture in Kahrizak.

- Political prisoner Ahmad Karimi has been banned from family visits for the past 2 months for no good reason.

- Karimi initially sentenced to death, his death sentence was overturned by Appeals Court & changed to 15 yrs.

- 3 year sentence of Law apprentice Abolfazl Ghasemi has bee upheld by Court of Appeals. He was arrested on Ashura.

- Mousavi&wife called Moharam Chokayni's wife to give moral support. He was shot to death last Jun during street protests.

- Chokayni's wife said she will continue her husband's struggles & asked Mousavi's to do the same.

- 1/2) Mehdi Kamrani in Evin 350 is encountering breathing problems, medical help has not been provided.

- 2/2) Mehdi arrested when he went to visit his brother Kamran in Evin, charged with writing slogans on Evin walls.

- Member of Pan-Iranist party Shahin Zaynali has been sentenced to 2 yrs, 90 dys & monetary fines.

- Atrocities continue against Bahais: In the village of Eival in Mazandaran Province they are demolishing Bahais homes.

- More than 2 weeks after arrest, family of Babak Heshmat Saran is still trying to find his detention location.

- Babak arrested at Enqelab Sq 6/12, his father Chair of IR National Unity Front died mysteriously in prison last yr.

- Basij Commander Naghdi said a large female Basij force has been under training for 2 months for promoting Hejab.

- Secretary of Teachers Trade Assoc Ali Akbar Baghani is still banned from visits.

- Amir Ali Aghayari is still in limbo status after 11 months in prison, 8 of which were in solitary prison.

- Within the last week large number of Tabriz Uni students have been summoned by Intel & interrogated.

News Update - June 25, 2010

News Links

The Real Race for Iran: Human Rights v. Tehran’s Defenders

Fifty Houses of Baha’i Residents Demolished in a Mazandaran Village

Rasht Residents Defend Young Woman, Officers Flee Scene

How A Regime Change In Iran Would Transform The World

Two Iranian students arrested, two UK universities – two different reactions

Mansour Osanlou's bride is said to have been kidnapped & tortured

Hardliners Blame Green Movement for Sanctions

Hossein Marashi and Akbar Ajdadi on Week-Long Prison Leave

Kurdish Citizen Arrested in Mahabad

Political Fasting of Boushehr Azad University Students

Emad Bahavar Transferred to Evin Ward 350

From Twitter

- They issue tickets to women from bad Hejab yet their thugs pull down head scarf of Osanlo's daughter-in-law &drag her by her hair.

- Evin prisoners are suffering from malnutrition.Their food mostly consists of rice mixed with tomato past or rice with potatoes.

- After 100 days in Intel solitary Mashhad Bahai resident Naghid Ghadiei has been transferred to Vakilabad prison.

- Abedini's lawyer Mohamad Oliyaifar is in prison himself, family tried to get a new lawyer.

- Abedini's new lawyer being pressured not to accept his case. Abedini suffers from heart condition & has no access to his med.

- Journalist & HR activist Abolfazl Abedini is in Ahvaz prison among dangerous criminals. He is sentenced to 11yrs.

- 1/2) Thugs: Family of Ahmad Reza Ahmadpour is being pressured to leave their home in Qom.

- 2/2) Ahmadpour, a clergy, arrested in March & is sentenced to 1 yr in prison for giving interviews to foreign media.

- Lesser known Green martyr: 19 yr old Hesam Hanifeh shot to death June 15, 09 on the streets of Tehran.

Video

Friday, June 25, 2010

News Update - June 24, 2010

Petitions:

No sale of technology used for oppression of Iran

Save the life of Saman Akbarirad

News Links

Kidnapped in Iraq, hostages in Iran

Photojournalist Majid Saeedi Sentenced to Three Years in Prison

Massoud Behnoud: Anniversary of Your Passing…

Oxford Student Activist In Solitary Confinement In Iran

Mousavi and Karoubi: They deny a silent protest, instead send a small group to vandalize

Shiva Nazar-Ahari writes to her dad: "You thought me not to break, father"

Ali Mahin-Torabi, the teenager who was to be executed was exonerated

Mohammad Nourizad is on leave on a $300k bail

Mourning Mothers Visit Home of Neda Agha Soltan’s Mother

Brother of Slain Protester Talks about Media & Opposition Leaders

Obama's Pursuit of Sanctions Came at Expense of Human Rights

Abdollah Momeni’s Wife Tells Rooz in Exclusive Interview: - Regime Repeating Saddam’s Injustice Against Me

Exclusive Rooz Report On World Refugee Day - Iranian Refugees In Iraq Face Uncertain Fate

Iranian opposition leaders condemn attacks on Parliament

Iranian journalist Emadeddin Baghi temporarily released after 180 days

Baha’i Citizen Afshin Ighani Sentenced to 4 Years in Prison

Emad Bahavar Transferred to Evin Ward 350

Mohammad Saber Abbasian’s Detention Extended for 2 Months

From Twitter

- After 2 months in detention Ali Golghin was allowed a 10 min visit with his dad. He cried the entire time.

- 1) Mansor Osanlo's daughter-in-law was attacked by Intel agents as she was getting off a bus in Karaj.

- 2) Agents attacked Zoya Samadi grabbing her by her hair & pulling her towards a car as she was screaming.

- 3) Witnesses say she screamed for help saying she is Osanlo's daughter-in-law.

- 4) Agents took Zoya to an unknown location, tied her hands, blindfolded her & ties her to a pole beating her.

- 5) She was punched & beaten badly. She was told that she has to guarantee that Osanlo stays quiet after release.

- 6) After beating her & torturing her for hours they took her to Sayad Khandan bridge & dropped her off.

- 7) 24 hours later Zoya is still in shock with bruised & injured body.

- 8) Osanlo's daughter-in-law has been the subject of threats many times before.

- 1/2) Lawyer for Tehran U law student Jahangir Abdollahi denies reports of his long terms sentence as reported by some.

- 2/2) Abdollahi's lawyer says his verdict has not been issued yet & rumors of heavy sentences are another form of scaring students.

- Azari teacher & civil activist Shokrolah Ghahremani was arrested by Intel agents on his way to Tabriz on Tues.

- Ghazvin International Uni disciplinary office has issued disciplinary action for 35 students.

- Afshin Eighaie has been sentenced to 4 yrs, 3 months & 1 day charged with promoting Bahai faith.

- Emad Bahavar has been moved to Evin Ward 350. He was arrested last March for the 4th time within a yr.

- 1/2) Alameh U student & Mousavi camp activist Arash Sadeghi has been sentenced to 6 yrs & 74 lashes.

- 2/2) Previously in a different case Sadeghi had been sentenced to 3 yrs.

- Azari civil activist Firooz Yousefi was arrested Jun 22. His detention location is unknown.

Video

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

News Update - June 23, 2010

People Of The World - Free Download, a song dedicated to Neda's anniversary. It will be up for only one week.

News Links

IRAN: University at heart of power struggle between Ahmadinejad and Rafsanjani

Names of those arrested during the month of Khordad 1389 (Farsi)

Emadeddin Baghi Released on Bail, Trial in 12 Days

Summonses, Notices, and Dismissals at Qazvin International University

Mohammad Javad Larijani Misrepresents Human Rights Council Session on National Television

Two Protesters Arrested Outside Iranian Embassy in Beijing

Mousavi & Karroubi met today, full coverage here (Farsi)

Iran university reform sparks row in Ahmadinejad camp

Iran’s Democratic Manifesto

Student activist detained in Iran: Behzad Bagheri Kahkesh

Larijani: Administration Supporters Are Loudmouths and Vicious

Rafsanjani and Khamenei’s Relations in Decline

Photojournalist Majid Saeedi Sentenced to 3 Years in Prison

A Citizen Executed in the City of Zahedan

Abdollah Yousefzadegan Transferred out of Solitary after 95 days

Tehran Prosecutor Met with Prisoners’ Families

Prison Officials Ignore Mohammad Nourizad’s Poor Physical Condition

From Twitter

- Police chief said Ahmadinejad remarks criticizing Hijab crackdown was because the TV anchor asked him the wrong question.

- Transferring of political prisoners to Ward 350 is apparently for putting more pressure on them.

- Mousavi's adviser Ghorbanali Behzadiannejad has been transferred to ward 350.

- Second trial session of Ali Malihi public relations Dir of Advar Tahkim was held today.

- Death sentence of Ali Mahin Tourabi sentenced to death for a crime committed when a minor has been overturned.

- Mahin Tourabi spent 8yrs in RejaiShahr prison. His sentence was changed to monetary retribution in lieu of execution.

- Houshmand has been detained by Intel in Sanandaj for a month & has been banned from family contact.

- Temporary detention order for Kurdish activist Mokhtar Houshmand has been extended.

- Sharif Uni student paper Sadaf has been banned.

- Trial of Blogger Housein Drakhshan started today. He was arrested couple of yrs ago.

- Bureau of Prisons Chief: Visitations for political prisoners must be approved by the Justice Dept.

- Bureau of prisons chief: Ghezel Hesar is overcrowded & is occupied 300 times it's capacity.

- 325 People Arrested in the Month of Khordad.

- 2 more prisoners released today: Hossein Marashi & Akbar Ajdadi.

- Emadeddin Baghi released on bail, Amnesty Int'l reports.

- Zahedan Prosecutor announced 2 death sentences have been issued & 6 more have been requested.

- Bureau of prisons chief said none of the accused in Kahrizak case are employees of the Bureau.

- Bureau of prisons chief denied harsh treatment of prisoners saying if any, it occurs during interrogations.

Video

News Update - June 22, 2010

People Of The World - Free Download, a song dedicated to Neda's anniversary. It will be up for only one week.

News Links

Revocation of political prisoners right to leave until further notice (Farsi)

Orumiyeh Prison Clinic Doctors on Strike

Majid Tavakoli and other Political Prisoners Transferred to Ward 350

Emadeddin Baghi’s Trial Set for Today

Iranian Political Prisoners Subjected to Forced Labor Conditions

Female Reporter Beaten by Ahmadinejad Staff

Judiciary's mysterious silence over fate of two imprisoned journalists

40 Executions in One Month (English and Farsi)

Iran's Leader refuses to release detained students

Steel Workers in Sirjan on Strike

Photojournalist Majid Saeedi Sentenced to 3 Years in Prison

A Citizen Executed in the City of Zahedan

Abdollah Yousefzadegan Transferred out of Solitary after 95 days

Tehran Prosecutor Met with Prisoners’ Families

Prison Officials Ignorant of Mohammad Nourizad’s Poor Physical Condition

From Twitter

- 1/2) Mohamad Nourizad is suffering from vision problem & headaches after being beaten by guards last month.

- 2/2) Nourizad's repeated request to be seen by a doctor is denied by prison officials.

- Abdi was sentenced to 2 years by lower court (being appealed), was out on prison leave 1 week & is now back in Evin.

- Hamedan Uni student Mohsen Abdi arrested on Ashura (was not protesting & was taking care of personal business).

- Eight Students in Shiraz Arrested for Anti-Prophet Propaganda.

Video

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

News Update - June 21, 2010

Pictures and videos of the June 20, 2010 event I attended are just below this update.

News Links

Telephone communication cut off for Evin section 350 prisoners (Farsi)

The Judiciary’s Questionable Silence about Abdolreza Tajik & Narges Mohammadi’s Arrests

“This Is Not Gaza,” Says Student Activist’s Father, Confirming His Prison Hunger Strike

Both the parliament and the judiciary have protested Ahmadinejad's new Hijab enforcement plan (Farsi)

Karroubi slams Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei

June is the Month Dedicated to All Freedom Fighters in Iran

John McCain's statement on Iran

Video: one year ago today, Basij fire live-rounds into the crowds

Tehran Bureau: Martyrs of the Green Movement

Music: Chris de Burgh Sings new Song, “People of the World” for Neda on the Anniversary of her Death

Radio Zamaneh: Rahnavard call for end to discrimination against women in Islamic Republic

Radio Zamaneh: Eight students arrested by Islamic Republic authorities

Sunni rebels vow revenge after leader hanged in Iran

Iran issues warning to 62,000 'badly veiled' women

Ahmadinejad Cancels Meeting of Branch Heads

One Year Into Plan to Possibly Install Mojtaba Khamenei as Leader - New Claims About Hassan Khomeini

History of Ahmadinejad’s Promises - From Bringing Bread to Tables To Saving America

Moderate Iranian cleric criticizes Supreme Leader for lack of support

In New Film, Basij Member Accused Of Killing Neda Says He's Innocent

Kurdish Citizen Ahmad Soleimani Sentenced to 1 Year in Prison

Commemorative Ceremony of Mostafa Ghanyan Held among Extreme Security Measures

Rahmatollah Bastani Acquitted of Charges

Navid Khanjani Presented His Final Defense

Shiva Nazar Ahari Transferred to Evin Public Ward

From Twitter

- 18 yr old Mohamad Kamrani arrested on the street by plainclothes, taken to Kahrizak & tortured to death last June.

- Kamrani's father: Plainclothes who arrested him, the judge who sent there & the people tortured him are all murderers.

- Kamrani's father: Why is it the person who was found guilty(Mortazavi) was given the position of IR Deputy Prosc Gen.

- Kamrani's father: They should broadcast video of the trial so people can see the extend of atrocities committed.

- Kamrani's father: I will not rest until all the guilty parties are held accountable.

- Kamrani's father: My son was not even of legal age to vote, he was not part of the protests yet they arrested him.

- Kamrani's father: Who are these plainclothes? Who supports them? Who gives them orders?

- Conditions in Evin Ward 350 is deteriorating due to construction work. Prisoners are suffering from overcrowding.

- Salman Sima was transferred out of solitary & into Ward 350 & has a family visit today.

- Sina Tahani is in Esfahan prison, he was arrested 10 days ago for distributing Mousavi & Karoubi statements.

- Qom the center of Islamic conservatism issues 62000 Hejab violations. Doesn't that say Iranian women don't want Hejab.

- Kermanshah Uni students are being summoned by Intel Min, Basij, campus security & disciplinary office in large numbers.

- 10 members of Jundullah will go on trial tomorrow in Sistan & Balouchestan.Their leader Riggi was executed on Sunday.

- Kurdestan Attorney General announced establishing of special Court for Hejab violators.

- Managing Editor of Jomhouriat site Hamzeh Karami suffering from heart condition in Evin is denied med leave.

- Memorial service was held for Masoud Hashemzadeh in Khoshk Bijar Village today. He was shot to death last June in Tehran.

- Student activist Younes Sollaymani has been arrested in Ardebil, his computer & items confiscated.

- Political prisoner Saied Torabian's elderly mother was the subject of harassment by Intel agents at her home yesterday.

- Court was held for student & HR activist Majid Khanjani , he denied all of his charges in court.

- Shirin Firouzi has been arrested in Qom, her husband Dr. Akbar Karami was sentenced to 3 years yesterday.

- Since the beginning of the yr (March 21) 70 Tabriz Uni students have received warnings for bad Hejab.

- After 110 days in detention journalist & HR activist Nosour Naghipour has been released on bail.

- Ramin Ramezani 22, was shot to death Jun 15, 09 during street protests. He was buried on his birthday Jun 23, 09.

- Iran bans the entry of 2 IAEA inspectors for issuing unreal reports & disclosure of info before it was read at the agency.

- Censorship: 1 publication lost it's publishing license & 3 have received warnings for printing what regime doesn't like.

Misc. Sources

- Sina Tahani, an 18 year old student arrested and charged with distributing Mousavi and Karroubi's statements.

According to IranGreenVoice, Sina Tahani an 18 year old student was arrested before the 22nd of Khordad (anniversary of the rigged elections) in the province of ShahReza in the vicinity of the city of Esfahan. According the news received from this small province, Tahani was arrested approximately 10 days ago, charged with distributing Mousavi and Karroubi's statements and transferred to Dastgerd prison in Esfahan where he still remains. Sina Tahani turned 18 while in prison.

In other news from Esfahan, Mohammad Reza Moafirad, social and civil activist has also been arrested. His exact whereabouts and charges with remain unclear.

Video

[GRAPHIC]

Monday, June 21, 2010

June 20, 2010 event at Los Angeles, Ca

Unfortunately, I don't speak Farsi, so an English translation for the videos would be very appreciated!

So, I went to this event; I was half an hour late and I was worried I might have missed something. But when I arrived it seems they were still setting up. People were still arriving in car and bus, the crowds were coming in by the dozens. Nothing happened for quite a while, so I walked around and took photos. One of the booths has a sculpted bust of Neda, and a few paintings displayed around it. One of them was a monochromatic green closeup of Neda as she's on the ground and looking up at the camera during the final seconds of her life. It was a painting that really struck me and nearly sent a chill through me, the artist captured the emotion of those final moments and it really felt like it was her staring right up at me.

I sat nearby for a while by myself, waiting for the speakers to arrive at the podium. I continued to stare at the painting for a long while. I looked away from it for a moment and because it was also very windy, it fell over. When I looked back I just about panicked; being an artist myself, I really would have hated it if the painting had been damaged. Especially one of Neda. Fortunately, it was still intact, but it had to be taken out of the frame.

After some time passed, I got up and took a walk around to see what else was going on. Some distance from where I had been sitting there was an artist in the middle of painting a portrait of Neda. It wasn't complete, but it still looked lovely. And not too far from him was a collection of pictures of the protests in Iran. Right in front it was a small memorial area for Neda (seen in the pictures above), wreathed in flowers and unlit candles. When I stood in front of it, despite that I knew that it wasn't actually her grave only a representation of it, it gave me this feeling that I just can't describe. But it gave me a moment to pay my respects to her before I moved on.

It wasn't until it was around 6:30 pm when the speakers finally arrived. I had assumed that the speakers were going to make their speeches in English as well as Farsi. But none of the speeches I heard were, so all I was able to do was stand there and record. There were a few moments where a couple of the speakers and some members of the audience shouted "maarg bar Mousavi" and probably even a "maarg bar Karroubi" - a point, which left me wondering if I was at the right rally? I thought most people who didn't vote for Ahmadinejad supported Mousavi and Karroubi. All I know is some are upset at Mousavi's lack of involvement in stopping the mass executions of the 1980s (please correct me if I'm wrong).

I wasn't able to stay for the whole event, I would have if I could. I was happy to go and support this struggle and human rights. One sign, seen in one of the pictures says "The Islamic Republic of Iran has been violating human rights for over 30 years", it made me wonder: "why has it taken so long for the rest of us to notice this and do something? Why don't international governments immediately gather and help out the people of these countries under oppressive regimes?" It's one of those things I'll never understand. But I continue to hope that Iran, as well as many other countries under a similar, vicious government will have their freedom and rights respected. Every person born into the world has the right to be free and treated with dignity and respect. These governments, regardless of country, need to stop this kind of treatment towards their own people.

But someday all of that will change. For as long as there are those who are ruled by greed and have little heart for the well-being of others, there will be those to fight them and restore what rightfully belongs to every man, woman and child. Every dictator will pay the price for their iron fists, and many dictators throughout history have and they will continue to do so as long as everyone knows their rights and fights for them.

That about wraps it up for this update. I still have one more picture I'd like to show, but I'm still working on it, it's my first time trying a panoramic shot. I'll see if I can have a news update later tonight!

Update will be posted tomorrow morning

Or later today, technically... I went to a rally event held in front of the Federal Building in Los Angeles today. I got plenty of pictures and video - but the videos are taking a very long time to upload (around half an hour for a 4-5 minute long clip). It's taking far longer than I expected it would take... All of the videos are in Farsi, and since I don't speak the language, I went as a supporter, I will need someone to translate them into English. I assumed in today's event, there were going to be speeches in English as well. I'll put up the pictures and videos in the morning, or at least noon! I didn't expect for things to take this long. Sorry, everyone!