We Are All Iranians Now

This Citizen of the United States supports the Iranian citizenry in their bid for true democracy — even as our President – elected under similar suspicions, remains silent.

Ace of Spades HQ has this story. And it’s Big.

Update:  An article by Amil Imani at American Thinker has more. See Today Everyone is an Iranian.

Update 2:

[YouTube Video]

Ace of Spades HQ has this video and more commentary.

Update 3:

Obama Issues a Statement – June 20, 2009.  Source: The White House:

The Iranian government must understand that the world is watching. We mourn each and every innocent life that is lost. We call on the Iranian government to stop all violent and unjust actions against its own people. The universal rights to assembly and free speech must be respected, and the United States stands with all who seek to exercise those rights.

As I said in Cairo, suppressing ideas never succeeds in making them go away. The Iranian people will ultimately judge the actions of their own government. If the Iranian government seeks the respect of the international community, it must respect the dignity of its own people and govern through consent, not coercion.

Martin Luther King once said – “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” I believe that. The international community believes that. And right now, we are bearing witness to the Iranian peoples’ belief in that truth, and we will continue to bear witness.

[... It's about time - Ed.]

Update 4:  Michelle has more … Saturday in Iran.

Update 5: Karim khan bridge

h/t to Wake up America who has more!

Update 6:  Protestor shot and killes at Tehran elaction rally – June 20, 2009

[You Tube Video]

Update 7:

The horrors in Iran continue as a woman is murdered in post-election violence by the Iranian Basij militia. Longer video here:  Iranian woman (Neda) killed in protests by Basiji.

Update 9: From Innocent Bystanders,  here is a full-length obituary of Neda Agha-Soltan, may her courage inspire others to perservere.

On Sunday at the Agha-Soltan residence, friends and relatives came in droves, weeping and bent over, clutching one another. A steady murmur of sobs and wails emanated from the apartment.

Mascara streamed down cheeks of the women, some in sweeping black chadors and others in shapely designer mini-coats and sunglasses.

The men’s eyes were sore and bloodshot. Two helped a distraught young man walk along the hallway, one of her two brothers, someone said.

“She died full of love,” Golshad said.

The relatives and friends piled into minivans for the hour-long trek to Tehran’s Beshesht Zahra cemetery, where she was buried. Her loved ones were outraged by the authorities’ order not to eulogize her, to loudly sing her praises and mourn her loss. But they were too afraid and distraught to speak out, except for Panahi, who said he had nothing more to lose.

“They know me,” he said. “They know where I am. They can come and get me whenever they want. My time has gone. We have to think about the young people.”

Neda, he said, was smart and loving. She had a mischievous streak, gentling teasing her friends and causing them to laugh. She was passionate about life and meant no one any harm, they said. In the election unrest, friends found in her an unexpected daring, a willingness to take risks for her beliefs.

“For pursuing her goals, she didn’t use rocks or clubs,” said Panahi. “She wanted to show with her presence that, ‘I’m here. I also voted. And my vote wasn’t counted.’ It was a very peaceful act of protest, without any violence.”

As to the person or persons responsible for her death, they will not be forgiven, he said. “When they kill an innocent child, this is not justice. This is not religion. In no way is this acceptable,” he said. “And I’m certain that the one who shot her will not get a pass from God.”

Michelle posts: They killed Neda, but not her voice.

Neda Agha-Soltan – 1982 – 2009

Update 8:

A protester shows a victory sign and white rose as people protest in front of the Iranian embassy in Brussels, Saturday, June 20, 2009.  People gather to express their solidarity with opposition supporters in Iran who risk confrontation with police if they take to the streets in their country. (AP Photo/Yves Logghe)