By Andrew L. Jaffee, July 9, 2003 (9:02 PM EST)
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Brave Iranians Mark Anniversary Despite Government Crackdown
By Andrew L. Jaffee, July 9, 2003 (9:02 PM EST) |
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Thousands of pro-democracy Iranians came out today in Tehran to protest against the Islamist dictatorship. Demonstrators hit the streets despite massive government efforts to suppress dissent. The demonstrations were held to mark the fourth anniversary of the brutal suppression of student rallies held in July 1999.
Most of the protests occurred around Tehran University. According to BBC reports, thousands of motorists gathered near the university in support of student protesters, causing large traffic jams. The motorists honked their horns as a sign of protest.
According to BBC and Reuters reports, Iranian government authorities had tried to head off the demonstrations by postponing summer exams, banning rallies, closing the university campus, and disabling mobile phones around the university. The government jammed radio and TV transmissions from American-based Iranian exiles. The Iranian dictators also made a great show of force.
The government stationed hardcore vigilantes, "official" security forces, riot police, regular police, and plainclothes police around Tehran University. Some students clashed with the security forces. Obviously, these pathetic attempts by the Iranian government to suppress the natural human desire for freedom were unsuccessful. Freedom-loving Iranians knew these measures were in place before the demonstrations, yet came out to protest anyway.
After previous protests in June, the Iranian government had arrested about 4,000 people, including many student leaders. Did their arrests stop further demonstrations? No. The writing is on the wall: Iranians will be free. It may take some time, effort, and pain, but democracy will prevail. We must do everything we can to support democracy in Iran.