Fighting for Iran

I've been mildly obsessed with the Iran Election Disputes. Mainly as it relates to social media. For one of the first times in history cell phones, You Tube, Facebook and Twitter changed the social landscape of a particular social movement. By using these venues Iranians have shown the world how they protest, accuse one another, fight, and march. You Tube has seen countless videos of protests and blood. They have walked miles and chanted nightly for their belief in democracy. They have uploaded in hopes of someone seeing the videos and tweets and coming to help them. Of course no government has come to their aid. Twitter was overwhelmed by the amount of people turning their avatars green, hastagging #iranelection, #NEDA, and #Iran. Dissidents have shown us footage of batons bruising and gunshot wounds. Violence has broke out throughout the country. People have been imprisoned and beat and tortured. Yet they continue to protest. Universities have been closed, commerce and tourism is almost at a standstill. These people and their faith amaze me. Astonished I read nightly reports that can be confirmed as if by only being informed I am helping. http://iran.whyweprotest.net/ seems to have some of the best, accurate information. I wore green on the 4th of July in an extremely small effort to show my support. I felt closeness to those others wearing green on that day.



Watching them stand up for what they believe is right I have been more impressed with democracy. I feel more proud of the US and our democracy. It is hard for me to imagine protesting the government and being arrested. Most of our peaceful marches end peacefully. I have found that our freedoms are more free knowing that others have to fight so hard for freedom.

Iranians have made an impression on me. Hopefully they have made an impression on the world. I hope and pray they stay strong in the face of grave grave danger and do what is right for them.