Daily

Seems like vali-asr square is becoming the regular location of the daily protests. People are gathering there again now, and cops reported to be preparing to attack again.

Surprise!

So the Guardian COuncil or whatever translation you want to use has confirmed Ahmadi as President.
Well there's a fucking surprise.

Meanwhile, thousands marched again today, again at vali-asr square. They tried to form a human chain. Again attacked by riot cops and basiji. Again people fought back.
But this uprising is still not laying down. Word of people on the move from arrest, and hundreds, probably thousands arrested, but still they're out there.
Even now, I think the regime is worried about cracking down too hard. This isn't China; too much blood won't be accepted. Even the blood that has already spilled is beyond forgiveness. When the sun goes down, the sound comes from the balconies and rooftops "Death to the Dictator".
The revolution has only just begun.

update

Obviously things have been suppressed somewhat. All the same, there were reports yesterday of thousands (mainly women) gathering at the place where Neda was killed, and fighting in Enghelab square and laleh park amongst others. SO quite clearly the people in Iran have not laid down and taken it, even if that's the only story getting out to the West.
Today is another commemoration for the martyrs - and supposedly, it's actually legal! So this will be interesting to see.
In that memory, here's new video of the shootings at Azadi square on June 15th:

more video from the 24th

Despite the title, this isn't police violence at all. A large sit down demo is - at least during the film - left unmolested by the cops.

Oh and...

...fuck Michael Jackson!

Swedish embassy occupied?

Hearing that the Iranian embassy in Stockholm has been occupied. Always brings back some strange memories hearing that...

No news is bad news

Very very quiet on getting news out. Yesterday there was little on teh clashes getting out. Most news sources didn't even report them and I haven't seen any video yet. This despite what i was hearing about a considerable riot in the centre of tehran. There were also many thousands at the Behesht Zahra cemetery. Reports also of a gathering at the place where Neda was shot, but they were quickly attacked (beaten, some reports of shootings). And I've seen film of a candle lit vigil outside Tehran university.

Here's Nite Owl's report from yesterday.

Today is supposed to be releasing green balloons. Which is a huge comedown from what today was being billed as earlier in the week. I've seen one pic of a green ballon (well binliner actually) allegedly from Tehran this afternoon, but that's all and it's not verified.
Update: OK here's some:


and here (Facebook).
and fotos


No news either of Khamenei speaking at Friday prayers. Still rumours of a Rafsanjani statement, some say he's going to speak in support of Khamenei. I doubt that strongly.

So has the regime succeeded in smashing the resistance? I doubt that too. Yesterday showed that tens of thousands are still taking to the streets even after some bloody attacks. The hired Basiji thugs can only be kept in the cities for so long. the net will only be nailed down so long. The university exams have finished today.
A line in the sand has been crossed and nothing will be the same again.

Moussavi

He put out a defiant statement earlier this afternoon. Now being reported (Gooya News) that he's under house arrest. He was originally supposed to appear at the demo today, but that's unlikely to say the least!

street fighting

At the moment, there are reports that the police are not having it all their own way. There must be more than a thousand there, because one report says cops are surrounded and fighting two sides at once.
Reports of gunfire - at least one dead, helicopters dropping chemicals again, tear gas, burning buses.

more already

More than 1000 ppl chanting against Regime asking others join then near Taleghani Cr. Clashes at Enghalb Sq

Demo needs to be much bigger.

Quiet

twitter is very quiet today. Obviously something going on - even sources using other methods are quiet on Twitter.
One message through though. Riot police are already gathering for this afternoon's march.

news report

Here:

Iran: Protestors killed as security forces open fire near parliament

Hundreds of protesters gather near parliament building Wednesday afternoon, several reported killed after Revolutionary Guard forces fire tear gas, live bullets at crowd

Rest of the article at the link.

this from yesterday

When remember, according to the media this morning, the protests had all been beaten down



So here's a message from my youth. Spot the similarities. And the message: when communities are attacked, they fight back

From Moussavi on facebook

The more you share, the more awareness comes up, we belong to the world, the world belongs to us.

Coming to a head

Tomorrow's demo. It beggars us in the West, to see the courage, after a massacre today, we'll see again people marching tomorrow. Hopefully in their hundreds of thousands, in their millions, too many for the regime to control and to beat. For the martyrs and for liberation. For self-determination.
I'm an atheist. I'm not a proponent of representative democracy. I don't like the belief systems of godbotherers and liberals. But I * really* don't like the beliefs of those who want to take and retain power at all costs. And I don't like those who say that their way of thinking and being is the solution for all, whether Imam or Cadre leader.
This is about the freedom of self-determination. Let people work out what they want without the arm of any oppressive state to coerce them - be it liberal or fascist, theocratic or secular.
The call to march tomorrow is epic in its heroism. It has that poetic quality, and perhaps none more so than in Google's translation of it from Farsi to English:

Thursday, June 4 hours 5 pm, mourning and violence Martyrs Memorial in the spirit of recent owner of the slogan "vote rate is the nation", the leader of struggle and oppression belongs with large posters with the relevant branch with a flower, to. Dear supporters suggest. Extensive information by email and posters for your player, media Shmayyd

Our thoughts are with you. The world is watching.

No shit

Reminds me of how I felt during the miners strike. This is even worse and the anger here shines:

From an Iranian twitter this afternoon:

Internet back on don't know how long bastard Basij whores Khamenei is murdering scum and Ahmadinejad is his dog.
We will remain we will remember we will not forget we will not forgive we will not seek revenge we will have justice.
Bajis whores do you get paid for each brother you kill each sister you murder?
they think they can kill enough so that we will love them? The consent between rulers and ruled is broken will never return
There is no more pretense. This regime has no popular legitimacy no political legitimacy no religious legitimacy only force
After today they can never again pretend that there is any justification for their rule. It is rule by murder.
murdering basij whores when you kill one you make ten new enemies. The more of us you kill the more our numbers grow.
Khamenei you feed on your people bitch Ahmadinejad licks the blood off the streets basij whores murder for pay.
Nokia and Siemens - accessories to murder.
this regime has nothing to offer but murder. No policy but to make all Iran a giant prison.

tomorrow

Protest confirmed for tomoorow, 4:30PM, from Vali-asr to Enghelab Square. Moussavi & Karoubi both behind it.
Big demo before Friday prayers - and Rafsanjani still expected to make his statement after Khamenei leads prayers.
No news yet on the military, bit if the rumour's true that Hezbollah were involved in today's attack, again that suggests the regime is losing its legitimacy with the military.
Couple of trusted comments:

Rafsanjani poised to step in, possibly to make statement On Friday as Khamenei tales Friday Prayers again.
Rafsanjani will act and he will do it soon. the army are never going to open fire on Iranian ppl. Be patient.

Of course, it's in Rafsanjani's interest that he comes in as the saviour, after it gets nasty. That's politicians for you.

I think the photo is from today, waiting to have Saeed of Revolutionary Road confirm.

another martyr

Don't think this is from today, but was uploaded today:

reliable info

OK, got something.
it seems the girl who was shot died. She's the only confirmed death today, although gathering by the reports, there will be more.
There are still battles going on in the centre - and it must be dark now. This seems to confirm what I suggested earlier - that this is not all one-sided, that people are fighting back in the face of a deliberate attack.
Amazing bravery.

unclear

back from work. Very unclear what's happened.
This is probably from today, but early in the march


One of the best sources hasn't been heard from in a couple of hours. Last messages were:

we must go - dont know when we can get internet - they take 1 of us, they will torture and get names - now we must move fast -
thank you ppls 4 supporting Sea of Green - pls remember always our martyrs - Allah Akbar - Allah Akbar - Allah Akbar
Allah - you are the creator of all and all must return to you - Allah Akbar -

That last statement is the same "prepared for martyrdom" statement that Moussavi issued a few days ago.

I gather the demo tomorrow is on, but that there's no mosque prepared to hold a ceremony. Location of the demo is being held secret for now.

This nightmare report from CNN: "this was a massacre"


Here, how scared the regime is of the martyrdom of Neda. Her family has been kicked out of their house.