On Friday, the people of Iran cast their ballots for what they hoped would become a great showing of democracy in their own nation. People came out in record numbers to show support for Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Mir-Hossein Mousavi at rallies, debates, and most importantly the election. A few hours before polls closed, Ahmedinejad was declared the winner. With polls starting to make a move towards Mousavi, and record turnout of younger voters, many began to see what could very well have been a stolen election.
Now what we see 4 days later, are clashing protests; which are in violation of Iranian law banning demonstrations. Protests have been broken up with club wielding motorcyclists and even gunfire. Some see a nation in turmoil, others a democracy beginning to flourish through the organization of peaceful protests. But are we truly seeing? With foreign journalists now out of the country by governmental order, blocking of websites and even the jamming of satellites, what is Iran trying to hide, and can they even hide it with the digital age we live in?
What I see is hope for Iran's future, however currently demonstrations are underway in support of Ahmedinejad and the militia are currently marching along side of them on their way towards a pro-Mousavi rally. This nation first began to look like a nation about to move its way through a peaceful revolution through election. But now what we are seeing is oppression through these types of action and the rounding up of student organizers in dorm rooms and the shutting down of news stations in Iran.
For the future, may we hope for a peaceful resolution to this situation as well as the safety of all people in Iran at this time. It is had to decide what is going on in Iran right now historically speaking. We have seen protests and demonstrations that have only been seen since the Iranian Revolution, but we are also seeing suppression and a grandiose scale. For Iran's future, may we hope for the benefit of the people, a true and honest government who supports dissent and opposing views, and welcomes the people's views with open arms. As the photo below shows, the people of Iran want democracy, and the rest of the world supports your cause.
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