Pedestrian

13th of Aban: We will be green in autumn

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Mowjcamp has a fascinating video of state coverage of the 13th of Aban events in 1979 – just a few months before the election. Watch it here.

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Preparations are underway for the 13th of Aban (November 4th) protests. 13th of Aban is significant for two reasons: on November 4th, 1979 a group of students raided the American embassy (’nest of spies’) and took the embassy workers hostage. A year before that, the Shah’s police had open fired on a student demonstration on that very day.

13th of Aban is a state celebration honoring students and their contribution to the IRI (at least what the IRI would like to label “contribution”.)

It has long been a state celebration, but already state officials are warning demonstrators. Like Quds day, there are no “permits” for the gatherings because they are state-sponsored events. But  Ahmadi Moghadam, head of Iran’s security forces has said: “demonstrators need to apply for permits and it is obvious that any demonstration with a permit will be under police protection. At the same time, those who plan to unlawfully stage gatherings on this day will be stopped.”

These photos are from last year. I was never at a 13th of Aban demonstration, but looking at these school kids brought back memories. We would enthusiastically participate in these protests which would be more like school field trips. My girlfriends would hit on boys and get their numbers, we’d laugh our heads off shouting “Down with America” and holding the flags up high.

Sad that we our field trips had to involve burning flags and chanting “down with” slogans, but we made the most of it, and we had a fantastic time.

There would be dozens and dozens of buses bringing in students from all across Tehran. Some schools would force students to go, but for others, you would either have to stay in school and go to class, or sign up to go to a demonstration.

Really, who would skip the chance of missing class?

Look at these students. Look at their faces. Many of these kids may come from families who support the government, who believe in this government. But from my experience at least, everything in my generation has “mellowed” out a bit – a natural progression of time and a natural deflating of extremism, maybe? But questions of power have yet to show their real face when you are 14.

In another post I’ll put up some more of the fantastic artwork that has been circulating for the 13th of Aban demonstrations. I said this before and I’ll say it again: who comes up with this amazing work?