Friday, July 17, 2009

After Friday’s Prayer

Eyewitness reports from Tehran:

After Rafsanjani’s sermons, hundreds of thousands of people, mostly Mousavi supporters, staged a walk on the surrounding streets. Enghelab, Valiasr, Keshavarz and all side streets were completely packed.

People began walking towards Valiasr Square. On Valiasr Stree, cars joined the protesters, honking and cheering them on.

On the loudspeaker a man began shouts of "Death to America," which the crowd, overwhelmingly pro-Moussavi supporters, responded "Death to Russia."

Everyone walked in unison with peace signs in the air, chanting for Mir Hossein Moussavi.

As the crowd wound towards Keshavarz Boulevard, the security forces were out in full force. On both sides of the Boulevard riot police were stationed, as were plainclothes militia and the Basij in black, all carrying batons. The anti-riot police also had big automatic guns.

Vans were parked to take protesters to jail. But the protesters continued on.

People walked passed the security forces flashing the peace sign in their faces, and turning to them, shouting: "Ya Hossein, Mir Hossein" and "Death to the Dictator."

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