Family Security Matter website, February 12, 2010

The Editors
As citizens of a nation that was born out of a rebellion against tyranny, one would think that Americans would be paying close attention to what’s going on in Iran.
 
Unfortunately, few of us are paying attention, let alone lending support, as Iranians struggle to toss off the yoke of an oppressive theocracy that has held them down for over three decades.
 
This past Thursday marked the 31st “anniversary” of the 1979 revolution that deposed the Shah and introduced radical Islam as the rule of the day, which in turn spread throughout the rest of the region. While Iran’s government celebrated by announcing that they can now enrich uranium to 80 percent purity – something both the U.S. and France do not believe – and by orchestrating an official rally, grassroots marchers hit the streets to demand the freedom and democracy that is being denied them.
 
Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the President-elect of the Iranian Resistance, lauded those courageous Iranian men and women of all ages who took to the streets chanting, “Down with dictator” and “Down with Khamenei.” She said, “This glorious resolve for victory will lead to the realization of freedom and democracy in Iran,” adding, “Today, you managed to liberate the occasion of the anniversary of the anti-monarchical revolution from the clutches of the clerical regime, and you will undoubtedly liberate Iran from their occupation as well. The uprising has rang the death knell for the religious fascism ruling Iran and shows that the days of the regime are numbered.”
 
FSM has received reports from eyewitnesses to this moment in history – members of the Students Committee in Iran (Supporters of PMOI) – including the following:
 
*In Tehran, they arrested four girls in Hafte-e Tir Square. From Enqelab to Azadi, there were security forces stationed in the radius of about 1 kilometer. At 2:30 p.m., RGC helicopters from Eshrat Abad Base were patrolling the air in Tehran. Cell phoes were dead in Azadi Square and Ariashahr. There was a lot of commotion. Protesters took over Ariashahr. Jenah Street was filled with protesters. The area around Golab Street in Jenah was where they took detainees. They arrested about 40 people during the morning in these streets. Security forces would immediately arrest anyone who held up their two fingers to show the victory sign. Security forces shot at people in the north of Ariashahr and the atmosphere was filled with smoke and tear gas. People torched a motorcycle in Valiasr. In Enquelab Square, Bassijis in cars shot barrages of bullets in the air while going by.
 
 
*We got to Ariashahr at about 10:30 a.m. and wanted to enter Sadequieh from Kashahni Highway, when we were faced with Bassij forces. They beat us and we were force to go back; then we saw that the crowds were going toward Ferdosi Boulevard, where they gathered. Protesters broke the windows of two cars, the passengers of which supported Ahmadinejad. Three Basijis who were on a motorcycle were stopped by protesters and beaten. Protesters then torched the bike. A lot of people were filming the scene and the slogans were mainly “Death to dictator” and “Death to Khamenei.” Securty forces were severely beating protesters in Sadequieh but everyone gathered in Fazlollah upward. We came to Ayatollah Kashani Highway and there was a lot of commotion there and they were beating protesters. I have not seen this many Bassij forces in a demonstration before. I was hit on the chin. One of them had a knife but I could not get the knife from him. We were constantly in hit and runs.
 
*Tehran, 2:15 p.m.: The students of a boy’s junior high school on Qods Town were told that anyone who participated in the state-sponsored Revolution Ceremony would get a free trip to Qoom and three bonuses in his discipline grades. Officials wanted to use this excuse to get them to participate and satisfy their parents who would most definitely prevent them from going. According to reports, these students did not go. An Alameh University student reported that “in Ariashahr, when security forces arrested somebody, the protesters would group up to save the detainee. My mother was arrested but people saved her. People were more sensitive when women were arrested and would try to save the women more.”
 
*Until 2:40 p.m. in Tehran, the presence of security forces was still very high, which was unprecedented. It was clear that they were brought in from other places. Plainclothes agents were scattered among the protesters and for the first time, they brought in RGC conscripts on the scene as well. Agents were present in all shapes. For example, they were on motorcycles that had pizza delivery baskets in the back but you all of a sudden saw the person on the motorcycle talking on a walkie-talkie. Regime forces were chanting “Death to Sarkozi” and “Death to France” outside Tehran University. These forces were also giving out cake, fruit juice, mineral water and lunch to pro-regime people. The starving pro-regime forces would attack the food as if they had never seen food before. They also used school children to fill up the scene and keep the streets filled with people. Ordinary people did not chant in favor of the regime and just walked, but the number of pro-government forces was very few compared to last year, which shows that many of their own forces have left them. In Ferdosi Square going toward Valiasr Intersection, the mercenaries who were scattered among the people suddenly ran furiously to the south of the street like wolves going after sheep, which drew the attention of all the people on the scene, leading them to look in that direction. Then it became clear that pro-regime forces who were carrying a large 300-400 meter long Islamic Republic flag above their heads were holding the flag lopsided and only the green section of the flag was evident, and these violent wolves who thought that they were holding a green banner attacked them. When they realized it was their own guys, the environment cooled down again.
 
*Tehran, 8:10 p.m.: Families of detainees gathered outside Evein Prison and until about 7:30 p.m. there were more than 150 people gathered outside the prison. A large number of people gathered in Tajrish Square (north of Tehran) and the atmosphere was very tense and there was a lot of commotion. Regime depoloyed its suppressive forces there.
 
*The Revolution Square in Mashhad was very crowded. The huge crowd protested against the clerical regime, chanting anti-regime slogans.
 
*About 700 to 800 agents were dispatched to Ariashahr and Punak. There were clashes in Punak Square between Ashrafi Isfahani Street and Sadeqieh. SSF brought pre-made cells and shoots tear gas in the alleys. Cell phone lines are dead in Azadi Street. Protesters chanted and threw stones at security forces. They chanted “Death to dictator” and “Mercenary get lost.” Security forces beat protesters with batons in an attempt to disperse them. There were clashes in the alleys as well. Security forces shot tear gas at the protesters, and about 100 motorcycles with their lights on are passed by us trying to scare away the protesters. Towards Azadi, people chanted “Death to dictator” and threw stones. I was very crowded. Even in a park, people beat people with shockers. Even those who were sitting on the benches. They threw tear gas and shot bullet shells.
 
*In Gonbad Kavus (Golestan Province), at about 8:30 a.m., people went to the Markazi Square and chanted and ripped up images of officials .Bassij forces attacked the protesters and clubbed them and shot in the air, forcing protesters to disperse. After that, a large number of Bassij forces came onto the scene but the people attacked them before they could attack the people and the Bassij forces ran away.
 
*There were very severe clashes in Ariashahr. They pulled a girl out of her car and dragged her on the street. An old man saved the girl from security forces. Security forces dressed like us and are wearing jeans and sunglasses and they looked exactly like us. They were brutally suppressing everyone.
 
These are just a few of the eyewitness accounts we received; we could go on for pages and pages. But it just goes to show that when we talk about Iran being an enemy of the United States, it’s not the people we need to be worrying about. We should be supporting them in their bid to reclaim their nation from the mullahs, and bring freedom and democracy to that nation.
 
It would not only benefit them, but would also benefit the world.
 
*Photo and video credits: Students Committee in Iran (Supporters of PMOI)
 
Brought to you by the editors and research staff of FamilySecurityMatters.org.