From Iran Chaos, Emerges A Hero

(CBS)

Like everyone paying attention to the epic political power struggle going on in Iran, we'd heard there was to be an opposition rally in the afternoon.

Then we heard there wasn't, because it had been declared illegal by the Interior Ministry. Anyone who marched could expect to face the riot police and their truncheons… or worse.

Then, suddenly, there was. The word flowed in digital streams from cell phone to cell phone, computer to computer — and, of course, from mouth to mouth.

Now. Come. Everyone. We're marching from the University to Freedom Square.

We drove as close as we could, then — stuck in crawling traffic — we abandoned the car and began to walk. It was like being part of a vast migration — absurdly, it occurred to me, like wildebeests pouring across the veld. Thousands upon thousands of people — most of them young, but not all — heading toward Tehran University.

There was no party atmosphere like we'd seen every night in the streets during the election campaign. Nor were there angry chants or fist-pumping — the kind of defiance that had provoked riot police to attack groups of protestors over the weekend.

Instead, this was a relaxed, quietly happy crowd. Also, incredulous. Because as the procession grew, and grew, and grew, it became obvious the riot police had received instructions to stand back and let it happen.

Then, the defeated opposition candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi, who hadn't been seen since election day, drove slowly into the crush.

With neither stage nor giant speakers, few in the crowd could see or hear him. Clinging to his 4x4 vehicle, he shouted into a small handheld microphone: "We won't give up." (pictured above)

He told those close by, "Our people just want respect — and for their votes to count."

This may have been Mr. Mousavi's finest hour.

On a podium, he is tedious and wooden, with little charisma.

But glimpsed like this, emerging from house arrest to be among his people — now there's a story to be told and retold until it becomes myth.

Mousavi must be wondering what he does now.

So must Iran's religious leaders, who have ultimate responsibility for political decisions.

Sadly, this quietly euphoric gathering was ruined just as it was breaking up. In an area nearby, a small group of people attacked the headquarters of the Iranian paramilitary. Shots were fired and a man was killed. That death could now easily ignite violence on a grand scale.

But still, the world shifted on its axis a little yesterday when Iranian authorities allowed protestors, 100,000 strong, to march in peace.

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CBS News correspondent Elizabeth Palmer is reporting from Tehran.

[TheMasses0003]

This format is terrible. CBS has outdone themselves - AGAIN!

[lexern]

I think it would be appropiate for the U.S., England, France, Germany to announce that all indicators show that the election was rigged. It seems that the Obama regime has put a muzzle on our media and the governments of our allies. Obama might of set goals but there's nothing more important than standing behind a people that want to be free.

[longtree-2009]

with the iranian secret police, as it evolved after the shah of iran was ousted, it is surprising that Mousavi is able to do what he is doing. amazing that he is still breathing. obama should stay out of the iranian politics. it is iran's problem, their citizens problem. don't recall iranians getting into the affairs of our last election for potus. realize that obama has strong ties to muslims but he is potus not of the world. if iranians truly want a different government, they can revolt, start a civil war, fight for their own freedom to the death. just like here in 1776, just like our own civil war. put it on the line, iranians, put it all on the line.

[zamorin44]

Despite everything Mousavi remains a paper tiger propped up by the Westernized youth and elite of Tehran and boosted out of proportion by the American media.He has never been a match to the power and political and religious pull of the ruling Iranian establishment.Also,the effect of the Axelrodian weapon of internet has been minimal in Iran because usage of the medium there has not been as widespread as in the U.S.

[mnbrant]

There is something to be said for the plain speaker. As well as a speaker who admonishes the powers that be that the will of all the people will be heard. My favorite line in the article is "Come. Everyone. We're marching from the University to Freedom Square.", how prophetic is that?