At least 14 protesters have been killed in violent demonstrations in the cities of Tala, Kasserine and Rgeb since Saturday amidst continuing anti-government protests. In Tala the Tunisian security force allegedly started firing at protesters who were setting fire to a government building. The Tunisian government has arrested bloggers, lawyers and activists since anti-government demonstrations began in December.
Reading The Economist’s Bagehot blog, earlier this week its writer’s dismissal of Britain’s student protests with “The revolution will be along later” was resonant of the final analysis many made of Iran’s “Green” movement: despite the unforgettable mass post-election uprising — in which Iran’s students were central to the movement, upholding the historic role of Iran’s universities as the hub of political thought and activity— there has been little change in Iran, let alone a revolution.
Bagehot’s commentary also called to my mind that Iran’s Student Day is nearly here. Naturally 16 Azar (7 December) presents a platform for the students’ voices. Last year the day exuded added fervour as students used 16 Azar to resume their previously silenced protest at the “stolen” election. One year on, Iranian students at universities in Iran and worldwide prepare in solidarity with the movement, with slogans of “Ma Amadeim”, “We are Ready” and “The University is Alive”.
16 Azar was named after the killing of three Tehran University students on that day in 1953. The police opened fire on students demonstrating against US vice president Richard Nixon’s visit following a US-sponsored coup earlier that year. A good synopsis of this day’s history can be read here.
The last 12 months have seen a mass exodus of Iran’s intelligentsia and student leaders to safer lands, and many others languish in Iran’s prisons. “Revolution” it may not be, but expect to hear Iran’s students reciting Yar-e Dabestani (My Soul/Classmate) the freedom poem written by Mansour Tehrani
Ma Zendeh Be Aaneem Ke Aaraam Nageereem
We are alive by virtue of our restlessness
Mojeem Ke Asoodegi-y-e-Ma Adam-e-Maast
We are like waves that die through calm
Yar-e-Dabestani-y-e-man
My old school mate
Ba Man-o-Hamrah-e-Manee
You are with me and by my side
Choob-e-Alefe Barsar-e-Ma
When the cane is wielded over our heads
Boghz-e-Man-o-Aah-e-Manee
You share my pain and anguish
Hak Shodeh Esm’e Man-o-To
Engraved are the names of you and I
Rooy-e-Een Takhte Siyah
On this blackboard
Tark-e-y-e-Beedaad-e-Setam
Scars of the lashes of tyranny
Maandeh Hanooz Roo Tan-e-Ma
Have stayed on our bodies
Dasht-e-Bi-Farhang-e-Ma
Our culturally desolate wilderness
Harz-e Tamaam-e-Alafhaayash
All but weeds.
Khoob Age Khoob Bad Age Bad
Be it good or bad
Dast-e-Man-o To Baayad Een Pardeh Raa Paareh Konad
My hands and your hands have to tear down this curtain
Kee Be Joz Man-o-To Dard-e-Maaro Chaare Konad
Who other than you or I will find the cure to our ills
Yar-e-Dabestani-y-e-Man.
Palestinian activist Abdullah Abu Rahma has been sentenced to a year in prison for incitement by an Israeli military court. He is a leading organiser of the weekly protests against the separation barrier that Israel has built in the West Bank village of Bil’in. The protests started over five years ago and the activist has already served 10 months of his sentence on remand. The events are normally non-violent, but occasionally confrontations occur. Supporters claim the barrier is necessary to keep out suicide bombers. Protesters view it as an attempted land grab. The International Court of Justice and the Israeli Supreme Court have both declared parts of the wall unlawful.
The Supreme Court is to decide next week whether members of Westboro Baptist Church have the constitutional right to picket military funerals. Al Snyder, the father of a US marine whose funeral was accompanied by the protesters’ anti-gay and anti-Catholic demonstrations is seeking damages for emotional distress. The fundamentalist church, which has said that it plans to protest outside the court, will argue on 6 October that its actions are protected under the First Amendment. Snyder says the decision isn’t a free speech issue but a “case of harrassment“.