preview

The Green Movement Of Iran

Decent Essays

The Green Movement in Iran
رأی من کجاست؟‎‎

Before the presidential election of 2009, the color green in Iran had religious and social significance. The color green was used as a way to reference the Prophet Mohammad and protest Sunni Muslims among Shia Muslims, who were now the religious majority in Iran. The color green was also representative of hope and positive feelings for change in the upcoming months leading up to the election. The outcome of the 2009 presidential election in Iran would prove to be an extremely important time in the country’s history. From peacefully protesting to innocent civilians being struck down by a seemingly erratic and desperate government, Iranian people’s support for the Green Movement and what it stood …show more content…

On June 20th, Revolutionary Guards, paramilitary force Basij, and a paramilitary force by the name of Lebas Shaksi recognized for its civilian clothing uniform, were dispatched and many people were beaten, hospitalized, and shot. Neda Agha-Soltan was a spectator of the Green Movement protests that had been happening nearby, when a sniper on the roof of a house shot her in the chest and killed her. Portraits of Neda and her bloodied face soon became symbols of the movement that wanted political change and was instead met with violence.
From then on until the end of the year, supporters as well as other causes operating in the name of the Green Movement took to the streets during national holidays and tributes to protest. The motto often spoken at these protests was “Where is my vote”. During the fall protests, the main focus changed from the election of Ahmadinejad to challenging the system itself as well as Supreme Leader Khamenei. With the change of issues the motto changed as well. Some examples are ‘“Death to the Dictator” and “Khamenei is a murderer. His rule is null and void.”’ (Milani, Abbas. “The Green Movement.” The Iran Primer, 27 October 2010, Web). On September 18th, known as Jerusalem Day, instead of normally shouting “Death to Israel” protesters shouted “Death to Russia” as it was the first government to acknowledge the election of Ahmadinejad. On November 4th for the anniversary of the U.S. Embassy takeover, instead

Get Access