Protesters Stage Somber Rally In Iran

Hundreds Of Thousands Join Mousavi To Mourn Demonstrators Killed In Clashes Over Disputed Election

(CBS/AP)  Last updated 6:37 EDT

Hundreds of thousands of protesters wearing black and carrying candles filled the streets of Tehran again Thursday, joining opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi to mourn demonstrators killed in clashes over Iran's disputed election.

The massive protest openly defied Iran's supreme leader, despite a government attempt to placate Mousavi and his supporters by inviting the reformist and two other candidates who ran against hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to a meeting with the country's main electoral authority. Mousavi and his followers allege Ahmadinejad stole the election.

Many in the huge crowd carried black candles and lit them as night fell. Others wore green wristbands and carried flowers in mourning as they filed into Imam Khomeini Square, a large plaza in the heart of the capital named for the founder of the Islamic Revolution, witnesses said.

State television is now saying eight people died in violent clashes. Unconfirmed reports say some of them were students at the University of Tehran, reports CBS News correspondent Elizabeth Palmer from the capital.

IranWatch: Track the latest on the Iran election upheaval

Press TV, an English-language version of Iranian state television designed for foreigners, estimated the crowd at hundreds of thousands and said the people listened to a brief address from Mousavi, who called for calm and self-restraint.

A Mousavi Web site said that the crowd exceeded 1 million.

Independent witnesses said that, based on previous demonstrations at the site, the size of the crowd appeared to be in the hundreds of thousands. Foreign news organizations are barred from reporting on Tehran's streets.

The demonstrators had marched silently until they arrived at the square, where some chanted "Death to the dictator!" one witness said. Press TV showed them making V-for-victory gestures and holding pictures of Mousavi and signs that say "Where's our Vote?"

No one wants to a return to chaos and bloodshed that marked the 1979 Islamic Revolution but that hasn't stopped authorities from embarking on a wave of arrests, reports Palmer.

Sayeed Laylaz, a political commentator, was picked up yesterday. So was the reformist cleric and former Vice President Ali Abtahi, along with hundreds of other bloggers, journalists and political dissidents, reports Palmer.

A participant told The Associated Press by telephone that the rally stretched for more than three miles (5 kilometers) through downtown Tehran from the square.

Photos posted online showed Mousavi talking through a portable loudspeaker, dressed in a black suit and dark blue shirt as he raised a hand to address the crowd. The participant confirmed the authenticity of the images.

He described watching "a sea of people" march across a bridge in a constant stream for three hours.

"I remember one old man talking about how the will of the people has started and no one can stop it," he added.

The participant and the witnesses spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity for fear of government retaliation.

On their way home, some demonstrators held a candlelit gathering in front of Tehran University, where Mousavi supporters have accused pro-government militia of attacking students in dormitories.

On Monday, hundreds of thousands turned out in a huge procession that recalled the scale of protests during the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Seven demonstrators were shot and killed that day by pro-regime militia in the first confirmed deaths during the unrest.

After dark Thursday - as they have done on other nights this week - people went to their roofs and chanted, "Mir Hossein!" in support of Mousavi, and "God is great!"

Ahmadinejad released a largely conciliatory recorded statement on state TV, distancing himself from his past criticism of protesters, whom he compared to "dust" and sore losers after a soccer match.

"I only addressed those who rioted, set fires and attacked people," the statement said. "Every single Iranian is valuable. The government is at everyone's service. We like everyone."

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has urged the people to pursue their allegations of election fraud within the limits of the cleric-led system. Mousavi and his followers have rejected compromise and pressed their demands for a new vote, flouting the will of a man endowed with virtually limitless powers under Iran's constitution.

Trying again to satisfy the protesters' demands, the main electoral authority invited Mousavi and two other candidates who opposed Ahmadinejad to a meeting. Iran's al-Alam Arabic television channel said the three candidates would meet with the Guardian Council on Saturday.

The unelected body of 12 clerics and Islamic law experts close to Khamenei has said it was prepared to conduct a limited recount of ballots at sites where candidates claim irregularities.

Mousavi, who has said he won the election, says the Guardian Council supports Ahmadinejad and has demanded an independent investigation, as well as a new election.

The council's spokesman, Abbasali Khadkhodaei, said Thursday that it received a total of 646 complaints from the three candidates who ran against Ahmadinejad in the June 12 election.

The council provided few other details, but the large number of complaints raised the possibility that even a limited recount could turn into a far larger and messier exercise than the government desires.

The regime has blocked communication channels, such as Web sites and mobile phone networks, to make it more difficult for Mousavi supporters to organize protests. The mobile phone network in Tehran appeared to go down at the start of Thursday's demonstration, as it has intermittently since shortly after the election results were announced. Text messaging has been blocked almost constantly since Friday.

There have been widespread accusations of nighttime attacks on Mousavi supporters by pro-government militiamen, and protesters attacked a militia building after one rally, but both sides have been restrained, with uniformed police and other security forces standing by as protesters march calmly.

Monday's massive gathering was followed by three days of marches along main Tehran avenues, presenting one of the gravest threats to Iran's complex blend of democracy and religious authority since the system emerged out of the Islamic revolution that brought down Western-backed Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.

The ruling clerics still command deep public support and are defended by Iran's most powerful military force - the Revolutionary Guard - as well as a vast network of militias.

But Mousavi's movement has forced Khamenei into the center of the escalating crisis, questioning his role as the final authority on all critical issues.

The wild card is former President Hashemi Rafsanjani, who heads the Assembly of Experts - a cleric-run body that is empowered to choose or dismiss Iran's supreme leader. Khamenei is Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini's successor, and the assembly has never used its power to remove Iran's highest authority.

Rafsanjani was a fierce critic of Ahmadinejad during the election, but has not publicly backed Mousavi. It is not known whether Mousavi has actively courted Rafsanjani's support.

But Iranian TV has shown pictures of Faezeh Hashemi, Rafsanjani's daughter, speaking to hundreds of Mousavi supporters, carrying pictures of Khomeini.

A group of hard-line students rallied outside the Tehran prosecutor's office Thursday, accusing Rafsanjani's daughter and his son, Mahdi, of treason, state radio reported.

Protesters have focused on the voting results rather than challenging the Islamic system of government. But a shift in anger toward Iran's non-elected theocracy would sharply change the stakes and become a showdown over the foundation of Iran's system of rule - the almost unlimited authority of the clerics at the top.

The Iranian government directly accused the United States of meddling in the deepening crisis. A statement by state-run Press TV blamed Washington for "intolerable" interference. The report, on Press TV, cited no evidence.

"Despite wide coverage of unrest, foreign media have not been able to provide any evidence on a single violation in the election process," state radio said.

State TV on Thursday broadcast the purported confession of a man accused of conspiring with U.S. forces in Iraq to bomb targets inside the country.

U.S. officials shrugged off the allegation of interference. President Barack Obama said he shared the world's "deep concerns" but it was "not productive, given the history of U.S.-Iranian relations, to be seen as meddling."

The two countries severed diplomatic relations after militants seized the U.S. Embassy in Tehran following the Islamic Revolution.

The government has blocked certain Web sites, such as BBC Farsi, Facebook, Twitter and several pro-Mousavi sites that are vital conduits for Iranians to tell the world about protests and violence. Many other sites, including Gmail and Yahoo, were unusually slow and rarely connect.

Mousavi has condemned the blocking of Web sites, saying the government did not tolerate the voice of the opposition.

In a statement, Google Inc.'s video-sharing site, YouTube, reiterated that its guidelines do allow clips depicting violence in Iran because of their journalistic merit. YouTube generally bans clips with graphic or gratuitous violence, but has made exceptions for video with educational, documentary of scientific value.

"The limitations being placed on mainstream media reporting from within Iran make it even more important that citizens in Iran be able to use YouTube to capture their experiences for the world to see," the company said. "Given the critical role these videos are playing in reporting this story to the world, we are doing our best to leave as many of them up as we can."

Iranian Press TV said Khamenei would lead the weekly prayers ceremony Friday. There was no immediate word whether Ahmadinejad would attend, but he attends the service whenever Khamenei presides. Al-Alam said the three presidential candidates also confirmed they would attend.

[prometheus21]

"Protesters have focused on the voting results rather than challenging the Islamic system of government. But a shift in anger toward Iran's non-elected theocracy would sharply change the stakes and become a showdown over the foundation of Iran's system of rule - the almost unlimited authority of the clerics at the top.

The Iranian government directly accused the United States of meddling in the deepening crisis. A statement by state-run Press TV blamed Washington for "intolerable" interference. The report, on Press TV, cited no evidence."

The COMPLETE AND UTTER IRONY being of course, that the American Propagandist (AP) has placed the top paragraph of PURE PROPAGANDA CONCENTRATE directly before the paragraph blaming the U.S. for meddling. The external quotation marks are MINE, quoting the "journalists" who wrote this "report".

[wdh3007]

We should watch Iran very closely the same thing should happen here if our foreign neo marxist president doesn't get a clue. People are tired of a do nothing strategy and an economy that is still tanking with unemployment at 9.4% and rising. This president's worst enemy may be his own self because the only ones that will be standing next to him at the end of day when our country is finally gone is the lousy goverment controlled media ran by Rupert Murdoch.

[nolalou]

If you read the other article on this site, you'd realize Mousavi is not the democratic reformer you'd think he is. President Obama said as much the other day in an interview. The so called 'opposition leader' may be somewhat more moderate than Ahmadinejad, but he was a supporter of Ayatollah Khomeini and part of the revolution that overthrew the Shah! He is anti Israel, and supports Iran's nuclear program! So don't be lulled into thinking this is some great democratic uprising, it's simply one faction of religious fanatics vs another!

[bajajohn1]

We here in America have had large demonstrations where people have been shot. The difference is, that investigations usually followed those shootings.

[bajajohn1]

I see a red door and I want to paint it black..I want to see you paint it, paint it, paint it black.....

[whitemale08]

This is proof that the United States does not need to go to war or use 'military intervention' so other peoples can get the freedoms they want and desire.

I've always said: "...as long as any country gives their citizens the 'freedom to leave and live elsewhere' then their governments are free to do whatever they want'.

We don't have a right to intefere in the sovereignty of other nations, even in the cause of 'freedom'.

Instead we should focus on freeing ourselves from the privately owned Federal Reserve System and stop the looting by Corporatists Masters on Wall Street/City of London.

[-Lawyers-Guns-n-Money-]

And all along we thought Iraq was the one with WMD.

Missed by that much.

[gravyboat3000]

by jaw11787 June 18, 2009 3:36 PM PDT
Worldwide: Wear green on Tuesday, June 23, 2009 in support of the Iranian people's protest. Worldwide.

______
I don't look good in green. Can I wear blue, and pretend?

[-Lawyers-Guns-n-Money-]

Man, you got SOME fashion sense. You know what colors not to wear and you accessorize with fine china.

[skyk-2009]

This is the Business of the PEOPLE of Iran and NONE of ours. How they settle their differences should be THEIR concern and we will come out of this MUCH better in the long run IF we aren't seen as meddling, as the President says. We have meddled in to many places and have left behind to many messes as it is. The American People can NOT afford to have MORE troops deployed that we have and frankly, we have problems enough in Iraq and Afganistan. Let this play out and we will decide at that point where to go. Making stupid statements as some in the Fringe Right want will only give the REAL powers, the Religious Extremist, a reason to squash something they are having a very difficult time dealing with right now. Concessions are going to HAVE to be made here.... Youth the world over is NO different and they want CHANGE!

[IrishWench01]

Absolutely correct! Its like a baby learning to walk. They have to do it themselves. The evolution of this country is up to those who want it badly enough to make the change. If the time is right, then they will rise up and make the changes as a majority.

[jaw11787]

Worldwide: Wear green on Tuesday, June 23, 2009 in support of the Iranian people's protest. Worldwide.

[Solarrays247]

"All who live in tyranny and hopelessness can know the United States will not ignore your oppression or excuse your oppressors. When you stand for your liberty, we will stand with you. Democratic reformers facing repression, prison, or exile can know America sees you for who you are: the future leaders of your free country. The leaders of governments with long habits of control need to know: To serve your people, you must learn to trust them. Start on this journey of progress and justice, and America will walk at your side". President George W Bush January 2004
by State_Run_Media June 18, 2009 12:35 PM PDT


Bush did not even practice what he preached toward his fellow citizens of the United States of America....is it any wonder that our country lost so much credibility in the eyes of the world during his administration? What a joke!

[skyk-2009]

LOL Yeah IF you follow the opinions of OTHER Nations they all agree with us, BUSH was the Worst in History, bar NONE!

[ReallyMeanIt]

Don't see any evidence of what you'te talking about.

[n8yvn29]

Ahmadinejad is IRAN'S GEORGE W. BUSH:

-Right-wing hardliner
-Nationalist
-Religious conservative
-Appeals to "traditional values" to manipulate voters
-Suppresses rights of the people
-Won election by voter intimidation and vote count manipulation
-Uses fear to gain support
-Threatens other countries with military attack
-Tortures his enemies
-Uses propaganda and lies to hold onto power
-Base is poorly educated people from more rural areas
-Strongly opposed by the well-educated and professional middle-class
-Gets political power from conservative religious leaders
-Shifty-eyed
-Insecure
-Evil smirk
-Alcoholic?

[ReallyMeanIt]

Looks liked a liberal wish list !

[hungry1968-15]

by TheMasses0003 June 18, 2009 1:29 PM PDT
Robert Kennedy Jr? The son of privilege and political clout? The scion of corruption and greed? Honestly, why would we read and article by someone like that?
----------------------------
Pick ANY major newspaper and it's the same deal - ALL Maobamatized.






Isn't it funny how the far right extremists like TheMasses0003 and Joe-NY, only believe the one or two far right extremist newspapers, and dismiss the 25,000 other legitimate newspapers as being "biased" and "having an agenda"?

[tautomer]

by ttinsly June 18, 2009 10:19 AM This is what we should have done especially in 2004 in our own country. Read Robert Kennedy Jr's article
____________________________________________________________

LMAO. Robert Kennedy Jr? The son of privilege and political clout? The scion of corruption and greed? Honestly, why would we read and article by someone like that?

[Questionews]

Yeah, but Kennedy was cool because he nailed Marylin!!
Clinton could have been cool too if he only had better taste in women!

[tautomer]

by jumkey June 18, 2009 Ahmadinejad is the Iranian version of George Bush.
_____________________________________________________________________-

No Ahmadinejad is the Iranian version of Al Gore, the politician who falsely claimed the presidency. Fortunately, the Supreme Court dismissed Gore's illegitimate claim, just as the Mullahs will dismiss Ahmadinejad.

[tautomer]

by ttinsly June 18, 2009 10:19 AM I'm still waiting on Obama to deliver his change.....
_____________________________________________________________________

Dude, you've already seen Obama's change....an additional $2 Trillion Federal Deficit, Nationalized Auto Industry, Unprecedented usurpation of executive power through the appointment of multitudinous czars......

Yo axed for it, you got it, Obama!................

[tautomer]

This is getting to be very cool. It'll be funny to see how Obama tries to garner credit for the actions of these brave people. Now if only the American people will do the same thing before our dictator bleeds them dry with his giveaways to his cronies.....

[skyk-2009]

Don't hold your breath ditto head. LOL I know of NO ONE who wants THIS President out of office and the Party of De-Regulation returned. LOL I'm serious what kind of MORON would want what THEY have in power. LOL NO THANKS! Let's let the Confederate Party go the way of the Wigs and then we'll form a New Party that better represents the Opposition. At the rate they are going...what are they now?? Wow! 25% NOW and falling? I'd say President Obama will have successfully terminated these losers in another year. They have never been real American's anyway.

[hungry1968-15]

by TheMasses0003 June 18, 2009 11:34 AM PDT

As opposed to your posts which are just plain ignorant - like you.







You forgot to say "naah naah dah boo boo" in your childish response.

[Sloughfoot]

Iranians who march in the streets of Iran are Patriots and Free Men and Women. Iranians who have fled Iran are cowards and slaves to their own fears. Cowards should continue to hide under their rocks and should not advise others on how they should be brave and march and die in their absence.

[jumkey]

"The unelected body of 12 clerics and Islamic law experts close to Khamenei has said it was prepared to conduct a limited recount of ballots at sites where candidates claim irregularities."

The parallels to our 2000 "election" are spot on - except we didn't protest when our Supreme Court Mullahs decided that Bush was going to be installed as President.

Ahmadinejad is the Iranian version of George Bush.