"I Am Burning"

So often historic events are symbolized by a single iconic image. "I am burning, I am burning," were Neda Agha-Soltan's last words as she bled to death from a bullet wound through her heart.

Neda was an innocent young lady returning from singing lessons that were conducted "underground" because Iranian women are not allowed to sing in public. "She was so full of life," said a relative, "She sang pop music." Witnesses spoke of hearing the crack of a sniper shot from a Tehran rooftop, then in a split second seeing her body fall to the ground. The bullet intended to snuff out the life of a protester has instead transformed a nation.

The video of Neda's death has fueled fires of passion in most Iranians, fanning rage against government oppression of freedoms and human rights. "We have seen courageous women stand up to brutality and threats, and we have experienced the searing image of a woman bleeding to death on the streets," President Barack Obama said in his news conference today. Describing the Neda death as "heartbreaking," he concluded, "While this loss is raw and painful, we also know this: Those who stand up for justice are always on the right side of history."

Fear and uncertainty runs through a population that is largely young and unaccustomed to the fresh air of freedom. Rumors and disinformation are spreading on social networking sites and word of mouth. But the mullahs, who govern this rigidly Islamic state, are feeling fear and uncertainty as well. Fissures are beginning to appear in the foundations of this nation. Political jockeying has ensued as would-be leaders position themselves for more power.

Western nations are being accused of inciting protests by the Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, especially England and the United States. Most Iranians are wary of the U.S. given its long history of meddling in that country. Khamenei would love nothing more than to turn this into an Iran versus the USA showdown.

While Obama has been properly cautious up to now, today he appropriately ratcheted up his rhetoric. "I have made it clear that the United States respects the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and is not interfering in Iran's affairs," Obama said. "But we must also bear witness to the courage and dignity of the Iranian people, and to a remarkable opening within Iranian society. And we deplore violence against innocent civilians anywhere that it takes place." If the report is true, it is also deplorable that the Iranian government is charging families of dead protesters a $3,000 "bullet fee."

Under orders of the government the family quickly buried Neda's body. There will be no memorial, no service in her memory and no public prayers. Neda's organs will be donated to those in need of a transplant. The former philosophy student and musician, whose name means, "voice," has spoken to the world through her death. Neda didn't have a weapon. She was not a soldier at war; she was not a revolutionary.

Neda was a Persian woman. She was a daughter of Iran. She lived her entire life of twenty-six years never knowing total freedom. Her fiancé, Caspian Makan, said, "She wanted freedom, freedom for everybody."

Neda's death is a tragedy. But her death has now given voice to an unstoppable movement toward freedom in Iran.

Follow Joe Peyronnin on Twitter: www.twitter.com/joepeyronnin

Comments

[wasim ali]

Never forget the martyrs.

[Gin1234]

I am afraid that the revolution is slowing, and that the government has won and will increase the repression of Iranians, especially iranian women who they seemed to be targeting in much of .this violence. I hope that Neda's death will not be for nothing. She didn't choose to die. How can a government do this to their people? Even a repressive government?

[BiBiJan]

I hope whoever murdered this woman gets the justice they deserve.

On the rest of you post, Joe what do you think of Strafor's analysis:

http://www.stratfor.com/weekly/20090622_iranian_election_and_revolution_test

[Jon Ossoff - Huffpost Blogger]

The MSM as well as the blogger universe are all ablaze with the heart wrenching story of the Iranian woman Neda Agha- Soltan who has become an instant symbol of both the Iranian people's struggle and the Iranian government's barbarism. Photos and now videos such as these have a way of taking on a life of their own creating a conflagration of anger, pathos, empathy, and a rallying cry to follow the protests where ever they may eventually lead. Whether the match is lit under the rose revolution in Georgia - another case where people rebelled after a rigged election- or the present Iranian Republic -pressure will continue to mount when a government is viewed as it is- pathologically out of control and out of step with its own electorate.
The old adage that history doesn't necessarily repeat but it does rhyme will become clearer as this story unravels. But right now the Iranian government is having trouble getting it's 'message' out and will be unlikely to extricate itself without even more acts of savagery and bloodshed

[Jon Ossoff - Huffpost Blogger]

Good piece- the video of Neda has fueled the outrage of the Iranian people and people all over the world. History doesn't necessarily repeat but it does rhyme on occasion and this is one of those occasions.
As I look at the haunting images of this woman's death I am thrown back just about 29 years ago to May 4 1970 when we had our own US sponsored massacre at Kent State. In that conflagration four students were murdered by National Guardsmen during a student protest of Nixon's expansion of the Vietnam War into Cambodia. The symbol of that vicious incident is the famous photo by John Filo of then 14 year old girl Mary Vecchio, who is huddled over the body of dead student Jeffrey Miller. That photo not only gained a Pulitzer for student John Filo, but helped solidify a nation's anger into action- action that finally helped end the trajedy that was the Vietnam War. Yes, it took another 4 years, but during this time students across the world stepped up the protests, coordinated their movements with labor unions and other progessives and placed unrelenting pressure on a US government that was pathologically out of control.
We may be seeing something similar in Iran or maybe not. But right now the Iranian government is having trouble getting its 'message' out and will be unlikely to extricate itself without even more acts of savagery and bloodshed

[BDanziger]

I am deeply saddended by the loss of Neda because of the senseless cause of her death. At the same time, I am incredibly proud of her for standing up for her beliefs. There is no justification for why she has been forced to leave this world and this life.
I can only hope and know that her beliefs, and that the message that is spreading due to what has tragically happened, will help tp make our world a better place for all.
Peace.