Tuesday 28 July 2009

Iran protests enter new phase


Following Iran's presidential election on 12th June, millions of Iranians took to the streets of the country in protest at the polls result, claiming widespread vote rigging.

Six weeks later the pro-reform movement has changed its approach to protesting in light of the government's tough crackdown on street rallies. After several deaths and numerous arrests the 'green' movement has changed its tactics to increaslingly imaginative methods of disobedience.

Protestors have began boycotting goods which are advertised on state-controlled media. An Iranian human rights activist says that the whispered phrase "Don't buy that. It's from an advertiser." is now commonly heard in shops.

Reports also say that anti-government activists are encouraging others to switch on all electrical appliances before the evening news, in order to overload Tehran's power grid. Dissidents have also published guides online of ways to down Iran's telephone network by leaving phones of the hook.

Whilst the large gatherings have now become almost impossible, so-called 'blitz' demonstrations have been reported on the streets of Iran's cities. The protests last just a few minutes and quickly disband before government militia have chance to react.

At Friday prayers in Tehran,when a prayer official said "We are all your soldiers, Khamenei! We await your orders!" his audience replied "We are all your soldiers, Mousavi! We await your orders!". Former president Rafsanjani addressed prayers at Tehran's university and when refferring to those who had recently been imprisoned, many in the crowd chanted "Political prisoners must be freed!".

Reformist activists have also used subversive artwork, which have been graffitied around the country, to spread their campaign.

The disobedience is predominantly leaderless and unorganised with most actions arranged by email or on twitter and facebook.

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