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News Day Tuesday: Peace Signs amid Tear Gas
Posted by Kathy
June 23, 2009
Categories:  Discussion
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comments

iran-peace-sign

I heard about these photos from Chris.  I love, love this photograph because…I mean, just look at what’s going on:  there’s tear gas, people are running away, including the young woman in this picture, and despite the chaos, she flips the peace sign and a smile as she runs to safety.  That right there is hope epitomized.

As I’m sure most of you already know, Iran recently held its presidential elections, and the race had boiled down to Mir Hossein Mousavi against current President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.  When Supreme Leader Ayatullah Ali Khamenei declared Ahmadinejad as the decisive winner, masses of Mousavi supporters took to the streets to protest the election.

Popular support is strong for both Ahmadinejad and Mousavi.  Many of the working class adore Ahmadinejad because they believe he fights for them and has their best interests at heart.  On the other hand, Mousavi is described as a better manager and his supporters believe he is more qualified to steer Iran’s economy out of trouble.

What do you think?  Was the election rigged?  Who would’ve made a better president?

To see more photos from LIFE magazine, click on the pic.  To see photos from TIME magazine, go here.

To read eyewitness accounts of what happened in Tehran, here’s a Tehran journalist’s perspective and here’s an American journalist’s perspective.

To follow the Twitter feed of what’s been happening, search for #IranElection.

Thanks to Chris!

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Marianne

June 23, 2009

What a beautiful picture.


Kailin

June 23, 2009

I say, “You go, girl!”

It’s amazing how controversial taking a side has gotten. In this case, it is even life-threatening. I’ve been following this story ever since a friend in Thailand (our own GBD’s Brooke Estin, who is the most awesome social advocate out there) alerted me to how bad this has gotten. Most GBD readers are too young to remember what happened in China years ago at T. Square. This situation reminded me of the potential escalation of it. I’ve talked to lots of people in the U.S. about this, and lots of people are split. We are living in interesting times, that’s for sure.


Kendra

June 23, 2009

Wow, this is statement alright!…here is the perfect example of how we can choose peace in any given situation :) .

xo
Kendra


Mi

June 23, 2009

The saddest thing about that picture is that when you check the site you discover that the Life photographer who took the picture is now missing. I hope he is returned safe and sound soon.

The story there in Iran is inspirational. News media focuses on the violence, but I am far more impressed by stories of riot police marching on protesters with batons raised, then when the protesters don’t back down the police lowered their weapons and walked away. Any violence is horrible, but it has been quite low considering the size of the protest groups. Many people were worried it would degenerate into another Tiananmen massacre, but at least so far it has been mercifully less severe.

Iran…We have been taught in the west that they are an evil nation full of terrible people. Now we discover they are a nation of brave and passionate youth (1/4 of Iranians are 15 or under, 70% under 30). My personal world view has shifted dramatically in a single week. Maybe there really is hope for the future.


annn

June 23, 2009

Wow. This photo really makes you stop and put your own life in perspective.


G

June 23, 2009

It never ceases to amaze me how so many countries somehow manage to divide themselves and resort to violence. Regardless, that is a pretty awesome picture and I agree, it’s one heck of a symbol for hope.


Jenipher

June 24, 2009

Truly inspiring that even in conflict there still exists some hope! :) although I must say it’s very sad to see how people resort to violence when in political conflicts or religious, etc.

Thanks for sharing! Awesome pic! Truly!


crisball

June 24, 2009

nice, peace back at ya. its hard when people are divided like this and worse when violence becomes a part in between. i dont understand everytime the military/police are hurting and killing people when it is their main duty to protect them. i dont know much about this as i dont really like politics, but Ahmadinejad’s government has a srs deal of convincing to make, he cannot just ignore these people. if hes going for martial law (seems to be) which is such a dictator thing to do, then i hope the military knows they still have a choice to do the right thing. As for Mousavi i hope he doesnt encourage his supporters to retaliate over a peaceful protest otherwise he is in it for the wrong reasons.

i pray iran finds itself back to one very soon, able to change for the better and no more deaths.