Unfortunately, the students demonstrations didn't continue; just about 80 ones were arrested, & basij & other groups could manage it before it get more serious. But in any cases, it was a great beginning for the coming month & other demonstrations.
Although I'm agreed with the ones who believe that It's not a suitable time for these kinds of movements & they have to be planned, but I also believe a street demonstration (even if as some other says is planed by government to weak the plans of July 9) is always an important step to the final victory of people. VOA reports...
"Iranian police have clashed with thousands of demonstrators protesting the country's unelected Muslim clerical regime. Witnesses say protesters threw stones at riot police and vigilantes who pushed into the crowd at Tehran University, breaking it up. Several protesters were reported injured.You can also find photos of these demonstrations here; & here..., but you know, they way they are fighting might make you remember photos of Palestinians (!!!) fighters, so I believe that they didn't choose a right way & what they did last years & what they have planed to do this year, ( a big & crowded, but without these kinds of violence) is more intellectual...Before being dispersed early Thursday, protesters chanted against Iran's clerical regime, and in a rare move, called for Iranian President Mohammad Khatami to resign. The demonstrators say he has not introduced enough reforms....
Here is also report of Guardian:
"The clerical regime is nearing its end!'' the demonstrators chanted. "Vigilantes commit crimes, the leader supports them.''....The arrests may have also been a warning before July 9, when students plan to commemorate the day four years ago when hard-liners and security forces attacked students protesting media restrictions. At least one student was killed and the clash touched off the worst street battles since the 1979 revolution that ousted the U.S.-backed shah.
Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim
Salaams to the Believers,
Tehran, Islamic Iran,June 11, 2003 - Nineteen members of a political group allegedly backed and sponsored by the United States have been arrested in Islamic Iran, Information Minister Shaykh Ali Yunessi said Wednesday.
The group "has been formed and financed by the U.S. to create chaos in Iran's political circles", Yunessi told the Iranian Student News Agency (ISNA).
The minister gave no further details and did not clarify whether the group was involved in a gathering early Wednesday where some 1,500 students and others protested against university privatization plans.
Yunessi said that 80 persons who he termed "hooligans" were arrested and documents were found to prove their linkage to Iranian monarchists abroad.Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi had earlier called on his U.S. counterpart not to incite Iranian youth ag ainst the Islamic administration.
U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said on Sunday that although the U.S. was not seeking to overthrow the Islamic system, his country would like to see political change in Iran to make the country less troublesome in the world community.
(Source: islamicdigest.net
In related news, Imam Khamenei(HA) said in a speech to the people on the June 12th, 2003, "The enemies bluntly support those adventurers who can become their mercenaries by perturbing people's security. Thus, the whole nation, the youth and and officials in particular, must remain vigilant," the Supreme Leader told a gathering of jubilant people in Varamin, south of Tehran.
US plans to stir up unrest and tensions in the Islamic Republic reveal the enemy's weakness since Washington has confessed it is unable to directly confront Iranians, Imam Khamenei(HA) said.
"If Americans had been able to eliminate the Islamic establishment, they would not have hesitated even for a day; but the enemy has realised that it cannot do anything against the valiant Iranian nation, especially the brave youth. Thus, it [the US] frankly declares that 'our strategy in confronting Iran is not a war and we have to create unrest in Iran'," Imam Khamenei(HA) added.
The Supreme Leader also advised the country's "faithful and Hezbullahi youth to avoid the scenes which the trouble makers have prepared".
"It must not be allowed that the atmosphere becomes tense and a handful of individuals contaminate the society and universities by creating insecurity.
"However, if the Iranian nation decides to deal with rioters, they will act like in July 2, 1999," he said in reference to a mass show of support for the establishment following days of violent unrest, in which police, students and vigilantes clashed at the Tehran University campus and neighboring streets.
Wasalaam to the Believers,
Ali
Thanks, Ali, that was funny. The Iranian government are definitely running scared. Let's keep them running.
I'm an italian journalist working for Italia Uno (national channel)
I'm writing to your Organisation because we would like to
broadcast in our tv news some letters or e-mails written by Iranian
students concerning the present crisis in Iran and the students' s
protest going on in Teheran.
best wishes
mimmo lombezzi
"so I believe that they didn't choose a right way & what they did last years & what they have planed to do this year, ( a big & crowded, but without these kinds of violence) is more intellectual..."
I agree. It hurts the cause of the protestors when they break things, or shout, "Death to..."