We are young digital natives reaching out across seemingly impenetrable national, social, political, ethnic, and sectarian barriers, employing the freedom created by media platforms to demand and create our own civil discourse.

18-Tir

July 8th, 2009Jahanshah Rashidian (Iran/Germany)

In (18 Tir), 10, 07, 1999, a semi-official body IRI militias (plain-clothes Basiji) attacked peaceful demonstrations organised by students in Tehran and Tabriz.They were protesiting the strain imposed on medias, particularly the closure of Salam, a newspaper close to a reformist faction of the regime. Student dormitories were occupied and students were beaten up and some of them thrown out of windows. A student was killed and a number injured, what turned into a nationwide- six- day demonstrations in which at least three more people were killed and more than 200 injured.

This year, the commemoration coincides with the beginning of a revolutionary atmosphere which statred in and out of Iran after the recent controvesial election. This simple election became an occasion of a long-oppressed people to raise their fists against the plague of the IRI. The popular movement now turns to be a freedom movement with a grandious perspective to free Iran from the bloody clutches of Mullahs.

Despite all dreadful risk, people in Iran now cry radical slogans like “Marg Bar Diktator!” (Death to the dictator!), hinting at Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader. This is a clear signal of targeting the whole regime. It is under such circumstances a national duty of Iranians abroad to reflect the freedom desire of in Iranians. Let’s all freedom-loving Iranians abroad massively commemoratethe 18-Tir by demonstrating and crying slogans targeting at the whole totalitarain IRI at this day.

Feel free to take part in our discussions and debates. Please be respectful and aware that what you say is only your opinion and may not agree with other points of views. Absolutely no hate speech or defamation will be tolerated. Be smart and comment smart. Read our comment policy to find out how not to annoy us.