Protestors angered by rigged voting system
I know that fem-fATL prides itself on informing you about the “new-new” in ATL. We write about everything from fashion to relationships but I just want to switch the subject for a hot minute and move on to some serious issues that are occurring globally.
Lately, I have been following global relations and the political figures behind Iran and the outlook for our future may not be the best. I’m not sure if anyone is aware of the Iranian presidential election of 2009 but sources say that upheaval and protests that have errupted recently are due to a disputed election between the current President Ahmadinejad and the reform candidate Mir Hussein Mousavi. So the gist of this story is that Ahmadinejad basically rigged the votes for elections. People across the globe are in severe outrage from the conditions Iranians are currently facing.
The violence of the regime has intensified. They are trying to create a regime of terror,” said Mohammad-Reza Djalili, an Iran expert at the Graduate Institute of Internationl and Development Studies in Geneva in a telephone interview. “The future will be marked by this horrible chain of events,” he said of Soltan’s killing.
- Wounded protestors
Many Iranians allegedly voted for Mousavi because of his democratic principles. He promised for a better Iran, is a patron of woman’s rights, was open to the idea of Iranian unity, but this dream has been slashed by tyranical Ahmadinejad. Things have gotten so out of hand that Ahmadinejad has basically formed a Coup d’ Etat to violently silence protestors from speaking out against the rigged voting system. Not only is the current government attempting to silence the fundamental right of Iranians to speak out against an ongoing dictatorship but also has taken steps to expel journalists and news castors from exploiting the disasterous nature of the current regime. Despite their efforts, graphics brutality and violent news about the ongoing protests has been able to leak out thanks to technological advances such as cell phones and the internet.
A recent example was this past Saturday when University Student, Neda Soltan was violently shot in her chest by a militiaman for joining a massive protest against the botch election. Although her story may not seem as intense, she signifies unrest, a call for unity, a change in command, and a cry for help through other nations. Many people may not be able to process the severity of these unforgiving circumstances but I hope and pray that after watching the below video, your mind will change for the better.
Viewer Discretion is Advised!!!
What is My Stance on the Issue?
Overall, Iranian people are just like everyone else in the world. Despite culture, race, or even socio-economic backgrounds, Iranians have a fundamental and universal right to speak against oppositional governmental officials when their rights to assembly along with free speech have been challenged. According to President Obama, “If the Iranian government seeks the respect of the international community, it must respect those rights, and heed the will of its own people. It must govern through consent, not coercion. That is what Iran’s own people are calling for, and the Iranian people will ultimately judge the actions of their own government.”
What Can You Do to Show Support?
I know that censorship has been strict in Iran lately but a great way for the international world to rally around Iranians and show support for “change”, visit http://www.helpiranelection.com/ in order to add a green overlay over your avatar. The green is a symbolic color of the supporters of Moussavi which stands for life, renewal, and growth.
Discussion
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