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| Axis of Evil |
| Clashes erupt in Tehran on student unrest anniversary |
| 2002-07-09 |
| Clashes between Islamic militia and groups of young people defying a ban on rallies erupted in Tehran on the anniversary of July 1999 student unrest. The violence broke out Tuesday as security forces in anti-riot gear tried to disperse betweeen 5,000 and 6,000 students and others who gathered at Tehran University campus and in neighbouring streets. Police and secret service agents as well as the Bassij militia were out in strength to enforce the ban declared Monday on all commemorations of the 1999 unrest sparked by a police raid on a student dormitory. Witnesses said several people were beaten by the militia, before the crowds started to disperse. That's life in an Islamic paradise. Why would anybody want to change that? Tension heightened with the arrival of far-right Hezbollah vigilante groups who positioned themselves in front of the university facing the crowds. The vigilantes, headed by Hassan Bakhshi, the father of four "martyrs" of the Iran-Iraq war, chanted slogans including: "Death to those who oppose the supreme leader's authority. Death to America." Hey! It wasn't us! We were at a barbeque... In a sign of popular support for the demonstration, entire families, parents and even their children came out of their houses to stand by and watch. "Look, Mom! They're beating Walid with a stick!" Teenagers said they were following calls broadcast on radio by exiled Iranian opposition groups to turn out on the streets and commemorate the student unrest anniversary and express their dissatisfaction. Followup: Tonecluster has more on this one. So does Joe Katzman. Joe says there are "airplanes parked for what looks like a quick getaway at ... the Mehrabad Airport in Tehran"... |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |