Iran's Revolutionary Guard takes command

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fgw-iran7-2009jul07,0,5039533.story

Axes and swords in the streets of Tehran

by Julie Jigsawnovich

I asked a friend in Tehran whether earlier Twitter reports of militia using axes on protesters were true. This morning he told me that, "Axes and big swords called Ghameh are weapons that Tehran gangs and downtown boys are using in the streets...and there is a rumor that Basij members are recruited from them...and if that is true, axes and Ghamehs will be normal to use against people."

An exciting time to be a student in Iran

My friend in Mashad just took his college entry exam. This must have been a challenging time to study for a test! Students have long been the targets of brutality and murder by those seeking to repress dissent in Iran. But even though Basiji recently broke into Tehran University dorm rooms and left a trail of blood, corpses and smashed computers, and similar reports have come from Shiraz--there are still videos being posted to youtube documenting the high spirits of students dissatisfied with the "official" results of this Presidential election.



The song they are singing is Yar-e Dabestani - My Classmate. Here are the lyrics, which I found at the following website. I'm trying to find out what they are chanting, as well, if anyone would like to leave a comment.

http://www.jebhemelli.info/ava/yaredabestani.htm

Yar-e Dabestani - My classmate

Maa Zendeh Be Aaneem Keh Aaraam Nageereem
Mojeem Keh Asoodegee-Y-E-Maa Adam-E-Maast
We are alive by virtue of our restlessness
We are like waves that die through calm
Yar-E-Dabestaanee-Y-E-Man
My old school chum
Baa Man-O-Hamraah-E-Manee
You are with me and along side me
Choob-E-Alefe Barsar-E-Maa
When the cane is weilded over our head
Boghz-E-Man-O-Aah-E-Manee
You cry and hurl with me
Hak Shodeh Esm'e Man-O-Tow
Engraved are the names of you and I
Rooy-E-Een Takhteh Seeyaah
On this black board
Tark-E-Y-E-Beedaad-E-Setam
The scars of the lashes of tyranny
Maandeh Hanooz Roo Tan-E-Maa
Have stayed on our bodies
Dasht-E-Bee Farhang-E-Maa
Our desolate and uncultugreen wilderness
Harz-E Tamaam-E-Alafhaayash
With all of its Shrubbery being but weeds.
Khoob Ageh Khoob Bad Ahgeh Bad
Be it good or bad
Dast-E-Man-O Tow Baayad Een Pardeh Raa Paareh Konad
My hands and your hands have to tear down this curtain
Kee Be Joz Man-O-Tow Dard-E-Maaro Chaareh Konad
Who other than me and you will find the cures to our ills
Yaar-E-Dabestaanee-Y-E-Man..........

Parody: Hitler finds out Michael Jackson has died.

Dear Reader,
I hope you will forgive me for posting this link. After so much sadness, there needs to be some comedy here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELyTBXzfQJ8

Happy Independence Day!

I am so happy to live in a democratic republic with a Constitutional separation of church and state!

NYC Rally for Killed and Detained in Iran

by Julie Jigsawnovich

Names of Iranians killed by Basiji and other forces, since the June 12th election, were read aloud last night at a rally in Union Square in Manhattan. Before reading them, a speaker mentioned the military coup that occurred in Honduras within the last few days. Drawing parallels in terms of the suppression of freedom in Iran and Honduras, the speaker showed solidarity with people suffering human rights violations in both countries by asking everyone to say the Spanish word, "Presente," after each Iranian name. In this context, "Presente" was meant as something to warn or remind.

photo: Julie Jigsawnovich

Mohammad Mostafaei released after paying $100,000.00

My friend Reza J. sent me this update. I don't have the link:

4:44 PM ET -- Iran activist released from Evin prison. On the website of his organization 'Stop Child Executions,' Mohammad Mostafaei posts a message titled, "Free after 7 days."

This afternoon after paying 1 billion Rials (about $100,000 USD) , being accused of conspiracy against the security of the government and propaganda against the regime, I was released from section 209 of the Evin prison (in Tehran)


I greatly am thankful to all of those who had a role in gaining my freedom.

My imprisonment made me more determined than ever to solidly stand for human rights

Remain strong and standing

Mohammad Mostafaei

Human Rights Lawyer Detained in Iran

Photo
http://s.wsj.net/media/0528iranngo10.jpg

I lost the link to this article. Will post if I find it.

"Human Rights / Death Penalty Lawyer Arrested in Iran
Death Penalty, Middle East | Posted by: Brian Evans, June 30, 2009 at 4:14 PM

"In the midst of all of the political and social turmoil in Iran right now, activist and lawyer Mohammad Mostafaei was arrested this afternoon and taken away by plainclothes officers while out with his wife and daughter. The arrest was most likely related to his human rights activites connected with the recent protests, but he is most well-known for his work representing juveniles facing the death penalty. The officials searched Mostafaei’s home and his office after arresting him and then took him away to an undisclosed location. His family has not been informed of his whereabouts.

"Mohammad Mostafaei is a lawyer who, among other things, represents those on death row who were juveniles at the time of their crimes. He currently has 25 such cases. As a signitory of the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights, Iran has agreed not to execute anyone for a crime committed before the age of 18, but they have ignored this agreement many many times. By Amnesty International’s count, Iran has executed 18 child offenders since 2007."

City Council Members walk out of MJ Tribute

New York City Councilman Lew Fidler told the reporter Azi Paybarah, “Clearly his death is a tragedy,” but "I’m the chairman of the Youth Services Committee in the Council and the man was probably a serial pedophile, may have well died of a drug overdose.”

Fidler said the talents of a celebrity don’t necessarily “make them a role model. While we can mourn his death I don’t know that standing up on the floor of the Council to pay tribute to a life I wouldn’t want my kids to aspire to was appropriate.”

Ihttp://www.politickerny.com/4294/city-council-honors-michael-jackson-several-council-members-walk-out

Using Tor and Squid to loosen Iranian repression by proxy

http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2009/06/using-tor-and-squid-to-loosen-iranian-repression-by-proxy.ars