Tens of thousands of Iranians have relentlessly taken the streets of Iran seeking democracy and justice.
Rather than missiles and ammunition, their weapon has been unity and faith. Unity brought upon them by their common longing for freedom and change, and faith brought upon them by their common belief that it is, at last, their turn.
Protesters, amongst which are determined middle-class, educated, and the youth, wear green and black. Green represents the color of, opposition leader, Mir Hossein Mousavi’s election campaign, and black in memory of the protesters killed.
While authorities have promised a recount of the disputed votes generated by last week’s presidential election, Mousavi supporters demand a full rerun.
Nonetheless, I am not certain that people’s belief in a fraudulent election or the simple fact that they are Mousavi supporters, is the only component behind the demonstrations.
This is the first time Iranians at home are distinctly questioning Islamic Republic’s true legitimacy and validity. Although demonstrators are solely demanding a fresh election, one could not help but to wonder if the uprising is due to Iranians’ exhaustion of living under repression and intolerable control.
If so, the next question would be, is the 67-year-old presidential challenger who was the center of Iran hostage crisis, a former member of Hezbollah’s leadership council, a prime minister under which the young generation of three decades ago was greatly affected as they were denied justice and freedom and if opposed, they faced execution, the right person for the job? Or is he the only choice?
It is also possible that Mousavi and his senior caliber official supporters such as Mehdi Karrubi, a former Parliament speaker, Mohammad Khatami and Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, both former presidents, are using the Iranian public to dispute a power struggle within the Islamic Republic government.
The uncertainties and reservations are numerous. The outcome of demonstrations, unwarranted arrests, ruthless beatings, and unjustifiable bloodshed through the streets of Iran is unknown.
Nonetheless, it is certain that history is being made. Iran has made a turning point and will never be the same, no matter which candidate wins.
Let it also be said that the true winners, however, are the Iranians who have so courageously come together and made a stand for their beliefs and their rights despite the dangers they face in every moment.
Khamenei recently made a public threat of a crackdown if protesters continue demonstrations. He has made his position clear by taking Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s side, calling the June 12 election an “absolute victory” and as usual blaming the chaos occurring in Iran on foreign “enemies.”
Perhaps now Mr. Obama will realize whether he “meddles” or not, it makes no difference, he will get the blame in any way. Meanwhile, it is the life of hundreds of thousands of people, who are fighting for the same democracy and change that the United States embodies and denotes, that is being jeopardized. After all, wasn’t it Mr. Obama who promised such change not only to his nation, but the world?
