Iran Analysis: The Scattering of Protest is Still Protest

0630 GMT: It was difficult at first to get a reading of Iran's May Day, given the regime's comprehensive effort to block any dissent or evidence of opposition. Even that blanket attempt offered an important lesson, however: in the most incisive comment of the day, an observer noted, “For a Government so sure that Green Movement is over and done with, they have a lot of security out on the streets.”

Eventually, as some video --- shot in secret, with the cameraperson at risk of detention --- made its way through and reports could be cross-checked and verified: the pattern emerged.

Iran Eyewitness: “The Movement Is Still Strong and Vibrant”

The protests are scattered, but they persist.


Perhaps the most striking incident of the day was at Tehran University. the President wished to give a speech on the campus. Yet, 10 1/2 months after the election and despite his supposed legitimacy and assured rule, Ahmadinejad was trying to reach the University unannounced.

The effort failed. Someone got word, spread it, and hundreds of students gathered to give Ahmadinejad a special greeting. The chants and songs, be they of affirmation for the opposition, denuncation of the Government, or a willingness to sacrifice, cannot be mistaken: this was a persistent, demonstration that the demands for justice and accountability may be suppressed but they are not vanquished.

And on May Day, despite the Government's restrictions on unions, despite the threats of retribution, despite memories of last year's violent response by the regime, the workers also gathered. They often did so in clusters, often in muted presence rather than vocal demonstration, but they still came out.

At the end of the day, this was still a messy story. It offers no clarity on the political and economic situation in Iran. There was no resolution, despite the attempt of Iran's state media to ignore everything and of the editors of America's top newspaper to declare a victory for the regime.

Yet, in one more step along this post-election path, the significance is simply that these scattered events occurred. Turmoil continues but so does hope, repression is redoubled but so is defiance.

There will come a day of reckoning --- symbolically, the stakes are being raised for 12 June, the anniversary of the Revolution --- but this May Day was primarily to offer some sign of resistance.

Scattering of protest is far, far different from no protest at all.

Iran Eyewitness: "The Movement Is Still Strong and Vibrant"

The following was posted yesterday on the discussion board at Anonymous Iran by a regular contributor. I do not know the contributor personally, but an EA source who does assures us of his/her reliability:

Greeting Friends:

Its been a long 40 days since I posted on this great forum. You all know where I have been and I will try to give you all as much information as I can about my trip to IRAN after 25 years of absence.

First, I would like to thank you all for your heart warm prayers and compassion you posted here when I was detained in Iran. I read most of them and they made me cry and happy at the same time. Thanks from bottom of my heart.

Iran Analysis: The Scattering of Protest is Still Protest
The Latest from Iran (2 May): Persistence

When our plane landed in Tehran it was about 5 or 6 AM and to be honest I was nervous, excited and anxious all at the same time. I knew lot of people were waiting for me on the other side and I wanted to get there as fast as I could. But as soon as I reached the passport counter, and after they looked at my passport I was detained by 3 revolutionary guards along with 4 other passengers that I could see. They took me to a room and I was there for about 6 hours by myself and then they took me to another room for questioning.


There were 3 people with plain clothes and one of them began asking me questions. He wanted to know what I have been doing since the faked election and how involved I am with Green Movement and what's my plan when I get back to US. I told them "I am an American citizen and I love my country which I was born in and I am here to visit my family and friends and no matter what all of you guys do to me I have nothing to say today or in the future."

They confiscated my laptop, my cell phone and my camera and they could not find anything at all and I could tell they were all pissed. By the way, I never got them back after I left and they also took my passport when I was detained . I basically told them to fuck yourself and I am ready for any consequences. They called me "dirty American" everyday.

I was by myself for 2 days and on the 3rd day they took me to another room where I met the other 4 people, all Iranian born with dual citizenship. One from the Netherlands, one from Bangaladesh, one from Australia and one from Germany. Then they brought us some food and fresh water after 2 days.

I got to know those people but we could not talk about anything political at all because there were 4 guards in the room at all times. After questioning all of us many more times, we were let go on the 6th day. They told me I have only 30 days visa and have to leave my own country by then. So I called home and my family came to pick me up about 3 AM.

It was a happy time when I went home and it was nice to see everyone after 25 years. But I was very tierd and drained out.

The next day about 6 Am I decided to go to Beheshte-Zahra (Tehran Cemetery) to pay my respects to NEDA and many other compatriots who lost their lives for the freedom and democracy of Iran. It was a day that I never forget. Neda's grave was covered with beautiful spring time flowers, so much so that you could not see the grave stone. So many people would stop by, pray, cry, put some flowers ther and leave. you could not see a dry eye there. The death of Neda impacted my life tremendously and I was powerless while I was there and looking at those beautiful pictures of her by her graveside. I was there for about 4 hours and talk to lots of people and every single of them would curse Khamenei and Ahmadinejad before they left.

About 2 days later there was a Hunger Strike in front of Evin Prison by the families of prisoners and I joined them as well. It was 72 hours strike and so many people showed up that the Police just left us alone and didn't ask us to leave. In those 3 days I learned alot about the people, the regime, and what's really going on in the country.

Everyone knows someone else who has been arrested or turtured or still languishes in jail. Clearly, the economic and political crises are taking a toll on everyone. Tehran was empty during Norouz (Persian New Year). Most everyone had left town for vacation or visit family . But you know, the protests continue. The movement is still strong and vibrant, particularly given the brutality of the regime and its readiness to make good on its threats of violence. Green Movement is not ready to give up the fight just yet.

I visited Shiraz, a beautiful city south of Tehran a week later and it was awesome to see people having fun for at least a few days during these festive holidays. On my 3rd day, there was a demonstration in front of Shiraz University against the regime for jailing some of their students so I joined them and by the end of the day, I was detained again along with most of those students. This time they let me go after 3 days and they warned me not to do it again while I am still FREE. Oh well.....I told them again where to put it.

Today, Tehran is a changed city, with lots of sophistication, a communitas mutually dependent, tolerant form of citizen-activism that is fully conscious of its interests and resistant of tyranny, self-delusion. Meanwhile, Khamenei's dictatorial regime is in near disarray, as each branch of government blames the others for its failure. Its international problems are multiplying and there is no hope in sight. The future blongs to Green Movement.

Tehran also is an expensive town these days and even middle class families have a hard time to make ends meet. The everyday necessities are hard to find. Beef is $12 a Kilograms, chicken is $15 Kilograms. Egg are about $1 each and if you are lucky, you get to buy 6 of them. If you are very rich and wealthy in Iran, you can find anything need very easily. No body I talked to like Khamenei or Ahmadinejad. They talk about Mousavi but they don't think his is their savior. They all want the whole government to change. They don't want an Islamic regime any more. They are aiming for Republic of Iran in near future.

As the plane took off from Teharn Airport, I felt sad that I was forced to leave the country I love so much. I felt my compatriot's heart in my chest. My heart is still very heavy and my tears are still rolling. As Iranians mourn the passing of those who have fallen and reflect on the difficult experiences of the last few months, they should not for one moment lose sight of what has been achieved....I am so proud of them as an Iranian. And we will fight till victory is reached.

We will stop these atrocities, we will get back our dignity, honor, freedom and liberty back from the Islamic, Rapist, Murderer, Criminal Regime. I pray for every single woman and man in Iran everyday. May God bless them with his glory. Amen.

UPDATED Iran Video and Translation: The Mousavi Statement for May Day/Teachers Day (29 April)

Mir Hossein Mousavi's statement for Iranian workers and teachers, subtitles provided by Khordaad 88:

Iran Document: English Text of Mousavi-Karroubi Meeting (26 April)