Iranian Protests Show Opposition Still Strong : NPR

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Iranian Protests Show Opposition Still Strong

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November 4, 2009

Tens of thousands of demonstrators poured into the streets of Tehran again on Wednesday to protest against the government and what they believe was a stolen presidential election last June.

Wednesday marked the 30th anniversary of the seizure of the U.S. embassy in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. The government traditionally uses the anniversary to promote popular enmity toward the United States.

But this year, much of the hostility of the crowds was turned against Iran's Islamic leaders, and there were sharp clashes with police.

Video of the demonstrations has flooded the Internet. Thousands of people marched in numerous rallies all over Tehran and in some smaller cities across the country. They chanted the now-familiar slogan, "Down with the dictator," which could mean opposition to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad or Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei or both of them.

But there were also many new messages, some heard during a loud and boisterous march at Tehran University. One was: "Khamenei is a murderer — his rule is null and void." Video pictures posted on numerous Web sites show demonstrators tearing down banners with Khamenei's picture, others trampling his picture ...

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