[Asharq al-Aswat] Iran's opposition protesters were reeling Friday a day after a ferocious security clampdown foiled their attempt to hold mass demonstrations, describing how government militiamen seemed to be everywhere on Tehran's streets, swooping in to break up their gatherings.Some in the movement are reassessing their strategy, considering moving away from street protests in the face of the crackdown. But they are struggling to find an alternative way to harness anger at Iran's government.
"I don't think we always have to pour into the streets to demand our rights," said Mohammad Taqi Karroubi, son of a senior opposition leader, Mahdi Karroubi. Given the fierceness of the crackdown, "it's natural that we don't want people to pay a high price anymore."
The opposition had called for mass protests to coincide with government-run celebrations Thursday for he 31st anniversary of the Islamic revolution that created Iran's clerical rule. But an array of riot police, undercover security agents and hard-line militiamen -- some on motorcycles -- had fanned out across Tehran in one of the largest deployments since Iran's political turmoil began following June's disputed presidential elections.
Protesters were unable to muster a significant presence. Mahdi Karroubi's car was attacked by militiamen who smashed his windows. Another of his sons, Ali, was arrested, and was so severely beaten in custody that his family took him to a hospital after his release, Mohammad Taqi Karroubi said.
Several young opposition supporters who participated in Thursday's scattered protests expressed dismay, speaking of a temporary defeat and saying the movement needed to strengthen and deepen its organization. Some criticized its loose leadership.
"If we had a strong charismatic leader we wouldn't have marched in the streets dazed and confused yesterday," one female university student told The Associated Press from Tehran. "I see the opposite side as the winner today. A temporary winner. ...We don't have a central command. We were like a broken chain, thrown all over."
Another protester said, "We need a movement that will grow roots. Demonstrations are not going to take us anywhere. We need to make people aware, educate them culturally and socially."