Americans Salute Neda And Show Solidarity With Iranians

Americans from coast to coast turned out this weekend to show their support for protesters in Iran and to memorialize the fallen.

The graphic video of the death of Neda Agha-Soltan has become a viral rallying cry with reverberations felt throughout the world. In the US, demonstrations were held this weekend in New York, San Francisco, Washington D.C., and several Southern California locations to pay tribute to the young woman, and to show support for those who continue to protest the results of the election in Iran.

Hundreds have been gathering at the sites throughout the country since the young woman's death on Saturday. She has become a catalyzing symbol of the flawed Iranian elections.

"Neda will not die in vain," promised one sign in Washington, D.C. In California, protesters carried a painting that dubbed her the angel of Iran. President Obama has been hesitant to reflect these sympathies, though he said today that he was "moved [by] what we've seen on television."

Nico Pitney reported today that Mousavi is calling for another, global show of solidarity this Thursday. The demonstration, he says, will honor "the martyrs that have been lost so far in our fight for justice."

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Washington, D.C.

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Comments

[riff4u]

12:24 AM on 06/23/2009

It seems the US has got a lot of nerve. We can't get our election thing right in Minnesota and back in 2000 when Bush was selected .....and we have to rain in on Iran. I don't like Ahmedinajad, but what if he actually won?

[NKR]

01:15 AM on 06/23/2009

Most experts seem to think there are numerous signs pointing to election fraud. I understand why you make the point though, because American leaders generally act like certain elections were illegitimate when the party that serves our interests least wins.

[NyPrincess]

01:35 AM on 06/23/2009

riff4u, you took the words right out of my mouth!

[goafer]

10:30 PM on 06/22/2009

When other countries are much closer to Iran in proximity, they tend to be a bit more conservative with their views of the matter, probably because, given the proximity, they don't want to be seen as "meddling" or "arrogant" or "dictating".

Also, the United States has a high percentage of Middle Eastern immigrants (many Iranian), who, having family and friends in Iran, probably have a good idea of what's going on.

The support of the American people for those living in Iran is a very positive sign about our country. It says that when we see an entire nation overflowing the streets with waves of protest, we know there has been a real injustice. When we see protestors giving their lives for what they believe, then it is a big deal. Apathy is ugly.

[pennyfarthing]

10:08 AM on 06/23/2009

"when we see an entire nation overflowing the streets with waves of protest, we know there has been a real injustice." And you believe simply *seeing* a nation protesting is enough evidence that there was actual injustice? What about pre-election polls that indicate Ahmadinejad would win? I'm all in favor of a fair outcome, but simply observing protests does not in itself point to injustice. If that were the case Obama wouldn't be president. Heck, NO ONE would be president.

[whoknew---]

05:05 PM on 06/24/2009

Who did this "pre-election polls" that indicated Ahmadinejad "would win"? I believe that poll was taken prior to the campaigns of all Iranian candidates .

That the winner of this Iranian election was declared before the closing of the polls and there were discrepancies regarding the percentage of people voting as compared to the population of that specific area.

At the very least, an impartial UN inspector could possibly take a look at this election numbers and verify the validity of this election for all concerned.

There is a sense of "real injustice" when unarmed people are being shot and then charged for the bullet for voicing their concern in public.

[RegLib]

10:18 PM on 06/22/2009

The hardliners' days in power are now numbered. They may regain control for a while if their crackdown is brutal enough -- probably will -- but the image of that beautiful girl dying in the street has already gone viral, and will keep the fires smoldering under the surface. It will get worse before it gets better, because the the ones in power now are terrified of the people they rule.

But they won't last long.

[Pupadup4oBama]

11:54 PM on 06/22/2009

YEAH!!! I agree with you completely!

[Montgriz]

03:28 AM on 06/23/2009

When our government shot the students at Kent State it only made news for a little while...yet, the pic is still there...and our government has not changed that much for the better.....

[BuzzingAlong]

10:16 PM on 06/22/2009

Wonder how many of the Americans showing solidarity with the Iranians even bothered to look up from their favority reality TV show back in 2000 and 2004 when the republicans disenfranchised thousands of minority voters and stole the elections?

Solidarity my you know what.

[Montgriz]

10:27 PM on 06/22/2009

Agreed....in fact, before "Americans" criticize any one maybe the Minnesota senate race can be taken care of....
One thing I wonder when I see such organized demonstations here and in Iran is just who is behind them and where is the money coming from, and where is the American media objectivity and why is it Iran non stop with no voice from the side that claims to have won? Why no news or marches in Iran outside of Tehran? How much is inspired by our CIA, oil companies, Israel? Lots of questions but we will not get answers....

[wereeverywhere]

01:58 AM on 06/23/2009

Educate yourself before you slander. There are marches outside Tehran. See the twitter feeds. At least your insult is posed as a question as to Izreal and CIA involvement. There is no evidence of any involvement, you really think they could get 100,000's in the streets in hostile terrain with no embassies, and then have protesters risk life and limb?? Are the Iranians so backward in your opinion that they couldn't rebel all on their own against the abuses of a theocracy?

[Ohioan730]

10:12 PM on 06/22/2009

I don't know any Americans that hated Iran before all this started. I don't know any Iranian people, either so I don't assume they hate me. Its always the govts of two nations propagandizing each other to people, censoring the truth and silencing voices.

We have never had a mass worldwide people 2 people interaction in real time during a possible revolution of a nation. The govt has blocked the journalists and the people have found a way to tell the world a step by step account. This is highly emotionally effective and different than if we had seen a documentary one month later and by that time, all we can do is be sad and shake our heads and forget about it within one hour.

The internet is changing the world whether people want to face it or not. If the Rwandans would have had Iphones and youtube back in 94, and they were screaming "help me!" on video and we were getting pictures of macheted people in real time, Clinton may have been compelled to do something. Our relationship with Iran is a lot different than Rwanda and all we can do is help tell the world and make proxies for Iranians to use to get out more videos. People deserve for their cries of oppression to be heard no matter what country they are and what our relationship is with them.

[Montgriz]

10:29 PM on 06/22/2009

The question is, are they truly cries of oppression or just anger at losing an election they thought they had won but didn't? I remember when the GOP stole the election of 2000 and some even tried to storm the Miami election board office....didn't hear so much then....why is this suddenly the greatest thing?

[Pupadup4oBama]

11:59 PM on 06/22/2009

THe reason why this is "the greatest thing" is because this is what WE should have done 8 years ago....we are with these people because we know how it feels to have our government taken over by dictators and con men. We are showing solidarity to these people whose country we meddled in 30 years ago.

[KDog76A]

07:04 PM on 06/23/2009

Way back in 2000? hey they did recount after recount and went to court, it was hotly contested.

This wasnt. This is real oppression... if you don't get the difference between the rule of law in the United States versus murdering protesters in Iran, then you need to do some research.

Remember you are a free person in AMerica, free to speak and free to move, if you're still sore afer 9 years and a new president, you might have other things you need to address

[JoeAmerican]

10:11 PM on 06/22/2009

Ah CJ, you are fighting intuition, and for most there is nothing in that video that implies it was faked. The haunting sadness of her apparent random and horrific death while peacefully observing; to look at the camera moments before her death; to die in her father's arms the day before father's day here in America...it's overwhelming.

It is difficult to comprehend anyone supporting an administration that would condone such acts. Welcome to the battle of public relations. Iran's leaders are now losing that war.

[KDog76A]

07:08 PM on 06/23/2009

I agree with you're assessment, and it was a compelling and horrible thing to watch.

But its not a PR battle in the end, the ones with the guns make the rules, and rights will surely be oppressed. While there is hope for a successful revolution, I think the Iranian Leaders will win out, like Sadaam Hussein did (well before W.). Sadly many more people will die

[Amazone]

09:59 PM on 06/22/2009

As i keep saying, if you read the History of the West Countries, you would know how they got to this "famous" democracy they are so proud of.....
Within each nation (I repeat, within each nation), democracy came from the PEOPLE, without any other foreign intervention!!!...
So we should let other Nations make their own history and stop "arming" one side or another

[Writeonwater]

10:12 PM on 06/22/2009

The French entered the war in and assisted in the victory of the Americans seeking independence from Britain.

You have a point Amazone but you don't have to rewrite history in order to make it.

[Amazone]

07:36 AM on 06/23/2009

so let me repeat it for you...."WITHIN" each nation.

France helped Americans fight against ANOTHER nation!.....nobody got involved in their civil war "south against north" (1861–1865), did they?

[Writeonwater]

09:56 PM on 06/22/2009

Sammy your statement appears to be an unsupported universal proposition a.k.a. poor reasoning. It's improbable that you have evidence that all these protesters are "only" emotionally motivated. Thus, your statement seems motivated by emotion, perhaps fear or distain. Granted, emotionalism (as fickle as the whether) is in large part responsible for much of our current troubles.

However, evidence that stands on its own without emotion is not invalidated as a result of strong emotion. I agree we have reason to distrust emotionalism on its own. However, when emotion coincides with the data of the senses and reason it can be worthwhile to respond, of course, subject to change upon new evidence.

If you were trapped in a burning building would you choose a rescuing firefighter who is motivated only by emotion, or by reason, or both? My vote would be for the passionate firefighter who has presence of mind and clear faculties.

Probably there are many reasons to demonstrate, some of which, I might discount. However, these people have seen pictures and "if" those pictures are authentic then that is evidence. Perhaps these people have historical examples that freedom is better than oppression. Do they want it known that they disapprove of the actions being taken against the protesters? Do they want to display that they are not enemies simply because they are Americans? Aren't these valid reasons? There may be more and better reasons not included in your summary judgment.

[ghtrains]

09:49 PM on 06/22/2009

"The other countries have far better media, go watch some of them to get a better idea of what is happening over there."
Most of the foreign press is reporting just about the same things we are seeing with the same problem as to the reliability of sources. Is this a world wide conspiracy among governments? Don't think so.

"Does not matter who's it is. These people just like waving flags"
Shows a lack of compassion for the events in Iran for sure. I would love to be able to demonstrate in some manner that my mind and heart are with these people.

"Give me a brake the same idiots wanted to nuke the place a month ago."
Really? Takes one to call others names.

[CJWebber]

11:45 AM on 06/23/2009

The U.S. media has devolved into a form of entertainment. Not too far removed from a reality show. It lacks objectivity and it is emotion-based. Surely it is of no surprise that the media in many other countries doesn't do this? Just look at the reporting of the Iraq fiasco, for instance.

This has nothing to do with a 'world-wide conspiracy among governments'. Good God.

[KDog76A]

07:17 PM on 06/23/2009

One only has to read blogs and comments to truly understand this

[CJWebber]

09:24 PM on 06/22/2009

There is no possible way of knowing if all this has been orchestrated. Those who 'know for sure' the video of the teenage girl dying is real cannot possibly know for sure. Why do you think you are being inundated with the details of the uprising, right down to the names of the people? The other world countries are not doing this. The other countries have far better media, go watch some of them to get a better idea of what is happening over there. Could it be that the American masses have little individual thinking? How easy is it for the media to change your minds? Most have done a complete 180 on Iran. Demonize the leader, feel sorry for the people, remove the government. Where have we seen that before?


The fervor on here is eerily reminiscent of that of 6 years ago. This is quite unbelievable. It's a matter of time before you go in and remove Ahmadinejad. Fool me once, ...

[tb92]

09:49 PM on 06/22/2009

I have no idea if this has been orchestrated. But I know that there is a huge difference between Iran and Iraq. Iran actually is a danger to us. We can't afford to go in like the calvary and attempt to take over. This situation requires intelligence and subtlety. Thank God that Bush is no longer in charge.

[gbrooks]

10:20 PM on 06/22/2009

If Neda's death was orchestrated, I gotta give it to TPTB for making it incredibly believable. Gov't usually isn't that skilled or efficient.

Of course, there are some conspiracy theorists who claim that even the founding of the US, the revolution, was orchestrated by the illuminati.

I find that stuff incredibly far-fetched.

[PresidentRobertBooth]

09:17 PM on 06/22/2009

***Does not matter who's it is. These people just like waving flags***

Really?

And the possibility they may be Iranian ex-pats, or may have family inside Iran and thus have a personal interest in the crisis over there never occurs to you?

[Amazone]

09:52 PM on 06/22/2009

Mr President, if those people were Iranian ex-pats, they wouldn't allow anybody to disrespect their religion and walk around with that bigoted woman with the "This is Islamic democracy" board

[PresidentRobertBooth]

12:42 PM on 06/23/2009

***Mr President, if those people were Iranian ex-pats, they wouldn't allow anybody to disrespect their religion and walk around with that bigoted woman with the "This is Islamic democracy" board***

Why not?

Are you implying that Iranian ex-pats are so intolerant that they would try to silence people who rightly criticise the strange mix of theocracy and democracy in Iran?

[lazercat2008]

11:46 PM on 06/22/2009

I think they are Americans.

[blimie]

08:38 PM on 06/22/2009

What about the innocent Iraq and Afghanistan citizens killed. Any flag waving for them. This seems incredibly hyped.

[Amazone]

09:55 PM on 06/22/2009

it doesn't count when we are the ones doing the killings or the ones being responsible for the miserable situation...

[TXfemmom]

08:08 PM on 06/22/2009

I wore green today, to show my solidarity with the Iranian people in their struggle. I have read that Wednesday, Americans are encouraged to wear green, as well. Our President has taken the right tone, but individuals Americans can and should display our thoughts and hopes for the brave Iranians who are fighting for their freedom.

[Promise]

02:19 AM on 06/23/2009

I agree with TXfrmmom....Leave President Obama alone---he is walking a tightrope here and I think he's doing the right thing by cooling it. Instead of everyone expecting him to speak louder on the issue, we should all be out there in the streets demonstrating. Thanks for telling us that Wed. is the day to wear green. I will. This is an issue of the people and we, the people, should be showing our support to the people of Iran.

[deepfreezevideo]

07:43 PM on 06/22/2009

My heart is breaking for the Iranian people.
I pray that the petrochemical workers will go on general strike.
That's what toppled the last regime and that's what will topple this one too.

[SammyD]

07:41 PM on 06/22/2009

They reason only with their emotions.