NEWS HEADLINE JUNE 21ST
Iran tense after police, protesters clash
June 21, 2009 03:54 EDT
The Iranian regime's attempts to impose a news blackout haven't prevented the emergence today of new images of brutality from street fighting during protests of a disputed election.
Witnesses claim that numerous demonstrators were injured -- and several allegedly killed -- in clashes with black-clad police yesterday. Security forces wielded guns, truncheons, tear gas and water cannon.
The reports from bloggers and Twitter users inside Iran could not immediately be verified.
Iran is braced for the possibility of more bloody confrontations between protesters and security forces today if defiance of government warnings against demonstrations continues.
In a separate incident, a state-run television channel reported that a suicide bombing at the shrine of the Islamic Revolution leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini killed at least two people and wounded eight.
While scanning through the various Twitter comments out of Tehran I came across this link to a blog written by a young Iranian named "Haldir Of Lorien"
The harsh realities of daily life in this country suddenly became very personal for me and I felt as if our differences in cultures and beliefs were suddenly very similar. He calls his blog simply, "Thoughts and Ponderings"
Thoughts and Ponderings
Sunday, June 21, 2009
I Saw A Woman Die
There has been so much going on in Iran in the past week. I have been meaning to write thoughts, but it has been so much I just keep following, but haven't had a chance to write. However, today I couldn't help but do so. I wrote this short poem:
I saw a woman die today
I can give no reason why
I saw a woman die today
It made me want to cry
I saw a woman die today
For freedom she was slain
I saw a woman die today
And Neda is her name
Neda is the name of a woman in Iran who was shot and killed while protesting. While this has been the fate of many, her death was caught on camera, and posted for the world to see. While seeing someone die is horrific, I couldn't help but watch, as I saw what it really meant for those brave Iranian on the streets of Tehran and elsewhere. To me it is a fight for justice, but it is one that takes place online, largely on places like Twitter. It it videos such as this that make the reality truly hit me. I can't imagine what it was like for those who were actually there and witnessed it in person.
My thoughts and prayers go out to those who seek justice, and put their lives on the line.
posted by Haldir Of Lorien
As I continue to read the cries for freedom on the various social network sights I find myself very thankful that we are able to not only see and hear the events from this country in turmoil, but feel and empathize with the citizens of change.
I was especially moved by the YouTube video short called "Poem for the Rooftops of Iran". You can hear the increasing sadness from a girl reading in Farsi (with English translation) and the chilling sounds of the riots below her in the night.
While I was not able to upload the video to this blog you can do so through this link
May God watch over them tonight.
- Greg from Canada
gmr 2009 Sonlight Ventures
