Students Denounce "Dictator" President In Rare Iran Protests

[babylonsister]

This is sounding vaguely familiar...

Rare Protest Targets Iranian President

ALI AKBAR DAREINI | October 8, 2007 07:36 PM EST | AP

TEHRAN, Iran — About 100 students staged a rare protest Monday against Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, calling him a "dictator" as he gave a speech at Tehran University marking the beginning of the academic year.

While the demonstrators and hard-line students loyal to Ahmadinejad scuffled in the auditorium, the president ignored chants of "Death to the dictator" and gave his speech on the merits of science and the pitfalls of Western-style democracy, witnesses said.

The hard-line students chanted "Thank you, president" as police looked on from outside the university's gates without intervening. The protesters dispersed after Ahmadinejad left the campus.

Students were once the main power base of Iran's reform movement but have faced intense pressure in recent years from Ahmadinejad's hard-line government, making anti-government protests rare.

The president faced a similar outburst during a speech last December when students at Amir Kabir Technical University called him a dictator and burned his picture.

more...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20071008/iran-protest/

[tkmorris]

1. Yeah I read this elsewhere

The young Iranians are not much happier with their government than we are. All we really need to do is reach out to them and expose them to western ideas and they will have a more Democratic society in no time.

The constant demonization of all peoples Iranian is just stupid, and will result in a further divide between us justifying BOTH governments hard line approach to the other. It is SO not necessary.

[babylonsister]

2. The thing is, the Iranians ARE westernized, and love certain aspects

of our culture. Therein lies the problem. I still don't understand why Ahmajinedad has so much sway over their country. But this protest is good to see; I just hope no militant actions are taken against those who speak out.

[Eurobabe]

3. He is a Napoleanic prop

so says my Iranian friend. Mahmoud is outta there next year, the Iranians don't want him.