Thursday
Nov052009
UPDATED Iran's New 13 Aban: A First-Hand Account from the Streets
Thursday, November 5, 2009 at 0:20
Iran’s New 13 Aban: “The Green Wave Has Bounced Back”
Iran: Mehdi Karroubi’s Son on 13 Aban Incidents
Latest Iran Video: The 13 Aban Protests (4 November — 3rd Set)
Latest Iran Video: The 13 Aban Protests (4 November — 2nd Set)
Latest Iran Video: The 13 Aban Protests (4 November — 1st Set)
Text: President Obama’s Statement on Iran (4 November)
Iran: Josh Shahryar on Fictions & Realities of “Revolution”
The Latest from Iran (4 November — 13 Aban): Today Is The Day
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Buy Us A Cup of Coffee? Help Enduring America Expand Its Coverage and Analysis
Our newest EA correspondent, Mr Azadi, was involved with events through 13 Aban inside Iran. This is his running summary of the day:
Students were being beaten in front of the Qods Gates (East Gate) of Tehran University. Girls were in the front of the line while boys were in the back so they would not be beaten as easily or detained. They sang, "Death to the Dictator". The situation in Amir Kabir University was very tense, but despite the security measures and cameras, people continued to protest. The security agencies and police's struggle to suppress the demonstration was unsuccessful.
The Amir Kabir students left the university to join the crowd. At Nejatollahi, Iranshahr, Kheradmand, Azodi, Beh Afarin and Hafez Streets, the presence of anti-riot police and plainclothes forces could be felt. The crowd’s movement at Vali-e Asr and Hafte Tir Square confused the guards, however, to the point where they are constantly running between the two squares
The riot police and security forces used batons and animalistic beatings and doused women and young girls with pepper spray. They arrested those videotaping the events. Yet all their drastic actions did not stop people from their protests, as they continued towards the Russian Embassy.
The clashes with the police and plainclothes forces in Tehran University and Enghelab and 7 Tir Squares were ongoing. Police forces shot into the air to disperse the protestors, but there were protests in the streets around Tehran University, Amir Kabir University, Vali Asr Street, Keshavarz Boulevard, and North Amir Abad.. In North Maftah Street, at the top of the Modarres Expressway, many women and girls were detained. People who gathered in the alleys were attacked by Special Forces on motorcycles who beat them fiercely with batons. Trying to stop the protestants from chanting "Down with the Dictator" and "Down with Russia", the police were using speakers on their Toyotas to shout, "Down with USA", "Death to Hypocrites", and " Death to Israel ". In return, protesters hooted and chanted, "Death to the Dictator and Russia" and ”Until Ahmadinejad is gone, every day is the same game".
In Azadi Square, Azadi and Jamazadeh streets, the anti-riot and basiji were beating people brutally. Many women and girls were detained, and many young people and women were injured and taken by Tehran Emergency Ambulances to Khomeini Hospital.
In the area around Karim Khan street, mobile phones were interrupted for several hours. Underground stations in Hafte-Tir, Taleqani, Mofateh, and Darvazeh Doulat were closed to prevent more people from entering the area.
The clashes in Vali-e Asr and Fatemi were also very severe. A large group of people marched on Vali-e Asr street from south to north, chanting, “Death to the Dictator” and “Death to Khamenei". The military forces attacked them with batons and tear gas, injuring a lot of the protesters. The demonstrators ran to nearby alleys and tried to help, but around 500 people were injured in this violent attack. A lot of people were seriously poisoned by tear gas, and the streets surrounding the area were blocked by Basiji and military forces.
At Beheshti and Motahari Streets and Keshavarz Boulevard, people were shot by plastic bullets which were red-colored, spreading the ink as soon as they hit protestors. This tactic was to make people think that they were bleeding, spreading panic.
Around 5:00pm, an increasing number of people started marching along Motahari Street. Young people were chanting, “Death to the Dictator,” “Obama, either with them or with us", and “Khamenei is a murderer, his leadership is not valid”, and "Ahmadi is a traitor”.
The anti-riot police attacked people violently with batons. A number of people were injured and their heads and faces covered with blood. Many people were arrested and transferred to unknown locations. After the attack, people gathered in groups of 10 to 10 and cried out various slogans. Whenever one group was attacked, they spread out and formed other groups in different places. The protests were continuing as of 7:30 p.m. with people refusing to leave despite the widespread arrests and brutal attacks.
In Vali-e Asr Street, the crowd was endless. The police did not seem to be able to handle people. Heavy traffic moved towards Taleghani Street, and a large wave of people moved from Karimkhan and Hafez to Hafte Tir Square. Use of tear gas was reported; the people have captured and beat an anti-riot police official and started chanting, "Down with the Dictator" and "Khamenei is a Killer, his leadership is a void.
There were ongoing severe conflicts in Enghelab Square. The police beat people savagely in Enghelab and Azadi Streets and Enghelab Square. People gathered near Vanak Sqaure and were constantly attached by the riot police, as others opened their homes to offer refuge to protesters.
Based on the latest reports from Tehran (midnight local time), the military and the anti- riot forcesare in the main squares and streets.The sound of ALLAHU AKBAR can be heard from parts of the city and around the University of Tehran and Vali-e Asr and Vanak Squares. People are chanting slogans here and there.
Iran: Mehdi Karroubi’s Son on 13 Aban Incidents
Latest Iran Video: The 13 Aban Protests (4 November — 3rd Set)
Latest Iran Video: The 13 Aban Protests (4 November — 2nd Set)
Latest Iran Video: The 13 Aban Protests (4 November — 1st Set)
Text: President Obama’s Statement on Iran (4 November)
Iran: Josh Shahryar on Fictions & Realities of “Revolution”
The Latest from Iran (4 November — 13 Aban): Today Is The Day
Receive our latest updates by email or RSS SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FEED
Buy Us A Cup of Coffee? Help Enduring America Expand Its Coverage and Analysis
Our newest EA correspondent, Mr Azadi, was involved with events through 13 Aban inside Iran. This is his running summary of the day:Students were being beaten in front of the Qods Gates (East Gate) of Tehran University. Girls were in the front of the line while boys were in the back so they would not be beaten as easily or detained. They sang, "Death to the Dictator". The situation in Amir Kabir University was very tense, but despite the security measures and cameras, people continued to protest. The security agencies and police's struggle to suppress the demonstration was unsuccessful.
The Amir Kabir students left the university to join the crowd. At Nejatollahi, Iranshahr, Kheradmand, Azodi, Beh Afarin and Hafez Streets, the presence of anti-riot police and plainclothes forces could be felt. The crowd’s movement at Vali-e Asr and Hafte Tir Square confused the guards, however, to the point where they are constantly running between the two squares
The riot police and security forces used batons and animalistic beatings and doused women and young girls with pepper spray. They arrested those videotaping the events. Yet all their drastic actions did not stop people from their protests, as they continued towards the Russian Embassy.
The clashes with the police and plainclothes forces in Tehran University and Enghelab and 7 Tir Squares were ongoing. Police forces shot into the air to disperse the protestors, but there were protests in the streets around Tehran University, Amir Kabir University, Vali Asr Street, Keshavarz Boulevard, and North Amir Abad.. In North Maftah Street, at the top of the Modarres Expressway, many women and girls were detained. People who gathered in the alleys were attacked by Special Forces on motorcycles who beat them fiercely with batons. Trying to stop the protestants from chanting "Down with the Dictator" and "Down with Russia", the police were using speakers on their Toyotas to shout, "Down with USA", "Death to Hypocrites", and " Death to Israel ". In return, protesters hooted and chanted, "Death to the Dictator and Russia" and ”Until Ahmadinejad is gone, every day is the same game".
In Azadi Square, Azadi and Jamazadeh streets, the anti-riot and basiji were beating people brutally. Many women and girls were detained, and many young people and women were injured and taken by Tehran Emergency Ambulances to Khomeini Hospital.
In the area around Karim Khan street, mobile phones were interrupted for several hours. Underground stations in Hafte-Tir, Taleqani, Mofateh, and Darvazeh Doulat were closed to prevent more people from entering the area.
The clashes in Vali-e Asr and Fatemi were also very severe. A large group of people marched on Vali-e Asr street from south to north, chanting, “Death to the Dictator” and “Death to Khamenei". The military forces attacked them with batons and tear gas, injuring a lot of the protesters. The demonstrators ran to nearby alleys and tried to help, but around 500 people were injured in this violent attack. A lot of people were seriously poisoned by tear gas, and the streets surrounding the area were blocked by Basiji and military forces.
At Beheshti and Motahari Streets and Keshavarz Boulevard, people were shot by plastic bullets which were red-colored, spreading the ink as soon as they hit protestors. This tactic was to make people think that they were bleeding, spreading panic.
Around 5:00pm, an increasing number of people started marching along Motahari Street. Young people were chanting, “Death to the Dictator,” “Obama, either with them or with us", and “Khamenei is a murderer, his leadership is not valid”, and "Ahmadi is a traitor”.
The anti-riot police attacked people violently with batons. A number of people were injured and their heads and faces covered with blood. Many people were arrested and transferred to unknown locations. After the attack, people gathered in groups of 10 to 10 and cried out various slogans. Whenever one group was attacked, they spread out and formed other groups in different places. The protests were continuing as of 7:30 p.m. with people refusing to leave despite the widespread arrests and brutal attacks.
In Vali-e Asr Street, the crowd was endless. The police did not seem to be able to handle people. Heavy traffic moved towards Taleghani Street, and a large wave of people moved from Karimkhan and Hafez to Hafte Tir Square. Use of tear gas was reported; the people have captured and beat an anti-riot police official and started chanting, "Down with the Dictator" and "Khamenei is a Killer, his leadership is a void.
There were ongoing severe conflicts in Enghelab Square. The police beat people savagely in Enghelab and Azadi Streets and Enghelab Square. People gathered near Vanak Sqaure and were constantly attached by the riot police, as others opened their homes to offer refuge to protesters.
Based on the latest reports from Tehran (midnight local time), the military and the anti- riot forcesare in the main squares and streets.The sound of ALLAHU AKBAR can be heard from parts of the city and around the University of Tehran and Vali-e Asr and Vanak Squares. People are chanting slogans here and there.
tagged 13 Aban, Iran, Iran Elections 2009 in Middle East & Iran
13 Aban, Iran, Iran Elections 2009 in Middle East & Iran
Reader Comments (8)
Hossein and Whereismyvote
Could you tell us if you are well ? please give us some news about yourself ! as I said yesterday, we are still waiting for you ; thank you
[...] were bleeding“ 5. November 2009 — Oliver M. Piecha Enduring america bringt einen ausführlichen Augenzeugenbericht über die gestrigen Demonstrationen in [...]
@ Hossein and Whereismyvote:
Hi.
I am OK!!!! But my sister-in-law was hit with baton, which she said ' even though it hurted badly but it was sweet because freedom is sweeter.'
Nothing much is happening except what you've heard and seen.
I should be thanking Scott for giving me this opportunity.
Mr Shakhsi has written us from Iran, "Just a note of caution. I was on Vali Asr around 11:30 am when perhaps Mr. Azadi says "500" people were injured. Maybe he is referring to something that happened later, but I'd say no more than 500 people were marching (or, as is usual in these things, not marching but lingering around and looking, occasionally chanting - that is the more natural inclination). The cops hit theem with tear gas and they spread around. Ten or so got gassed real bad. I also was walking around some of the areas Mr. Azadi is describing --- Karim Khan Bridge, Keshavarz Blvd, Meydun-e Felestin. People were coming from Haft-e Tir, probably tens of thousands had amassed that morning, but it got broken up so early that they dispersed in many directions. Much less chanting, more mulling around. "I think it was very discouraging for a lot of people. Is this all there is?" they might ask. It looks like Mr. Azadi is aggregating all of the accounts he has read or heard of into one big piece, but one must remember that these have to overlap since they are all so close to each other.
And I don't it was that difficult for the security forces to cover all the squares nearby, as some piece on your site said. These places were all closer together (with the old embassy right in the middle) than the places they had to cover in earlier protests. This is the problem when you telegraph exactly where and when the rallies will be days in advance."
S.
If they actually got tens of thousands in spite of a crackdown, that's almost unprecedented in global history. The writer is being a bit too pessimistic, we have seen dozens of videos with thousands demonstrating forcefully all over the country. The fact that basiji cracked down on them doesn't make them unsuccessful.
I think the writer's definition of success is unrealistic, nobody should expect to overthrow a regime with one day of nonviolent protests and skirmishes. The point is that the opposition is still present and willing to protest in large numbers despite an exhausting 5-month crackdown, and the demonstrations in the universities seem to be growing even on days where protests haven't been called for. I would like to see the movement's leaders become a bit more forceful (at least verbally), but if yesterday was disappointing you need to be more realistic about how civil disobedience (as opposed to violent revolution) works. That said, does it make sense to wait weeks before the next protests when the journalists and students that have been arrested are facing solitary confinement and/or torture every day?
I have to say in respond to Mr Shakhsi:
- What I have reported is based on what I and my family has seen in different locations and they told me what they had witnessed through phone. As I said before not only they breathed in tear gas but were hit with baton as well.
- It’s a bit strange for me that Mr. Shakhsi said that at 11:30 there were about 500 people. It’s important to remember that Valieasr is the longest Streets in Tehran which all the other gathering centres were accessible from this street, which one of those centres is Tehran University which is very close to Valieasr. The majority of students had joined the rally by 10:30. What is interesting that Iranian national TV announced the number of protesters thousands people. Of course this is very clear in the videos.
- In contrary of what Mr. Shakhsi has said, these places are not that close. Even if they were , as there were more than one core to this protest it was not very easy for the security forces to cover these places. Hence the number of security forces was very high as you’ve seen in the videos.
- But about the violence behaviour of police (anti riot force and plain cloths forces) with demonstrators, this was very obvious that it was mentioned even on the conservative’s websites. E.g. Alef.ir has mentioned that the police had treated protesters violently unlike the Al-Quds day rally.
http://alef.ir/1388/content/view/56476/
"They arrested those videotaping the events." Hmmmm..... really? Maybe something got lost in the translation here. I haven't see a videotape recorder in a long time. (and Tehranis sure seem to have the latest high tech gadgets)
Never mind that. Are those protesters with the omnipresent cell phone cameras (digital recording) now being targeted too? If past videos (ahem) are any indication, that would mean they'd have to arrest every other person.
In the present fevered atmosphere, I'm hesitant about drawing conclusions from these claims, at face value, and the videos and stills are not always that convincing. (problem as old as the technology) Sorry to be hesitant.
Sigh, I can imagine some writers here will then morph into Bush and shrilly dismiss me and say, "if he doesn't accept everything we claim, he must be against us." Such is the present moment in time, objectivity difficult. I will keep reading and seeking confirmation.
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