Iran: No Triumphs for Green Protests on Anniversary of Revolution

Protesters of the Green Movement staged demonstrations in several Iranian cities on February 11 (the anniversary of the Iranian revolution) but were not able to mobilize as strongly as they have in the past due to the swift work of security forces and a major pro-government rally. Protesters did manage to defy security forces in some cities, including Tehran and Isfahan.

Several bloggers and netizens refelected on this day.

Making fun of Greens

Ahestan, a pro-government blogger, mocked the Green Movement and said [fa]:

After the February 11 demonstrations, green movement supporters will probably say things like: ‘Tehran became green’, ‘greens were censored on national TV’, ‘Tehran was conquered by greens’.

Shukhoshang wrote [fa]:

Now the greens will say ‘Enough with demonstrations, tomorrow we will start strikes. I won't drink orange juice to push state-run orange juice factories into bankruptcies, and you can stop eating caviar.’

Lessons to learn

Iran88, a pro-green blogger, thinks that the February 11 demonstrations did not happen as the green activists expected. The blogger adds:

Disappointment comes when we are fixed on unrealistic goals, [the protest movement] is like a marathon. If we don't learn our lesson we will be defeated… We should add economic requests to political and social ones… Some in the movement do not tolerate criticism… We should not listen to people who are outside Iran… We should not limit ourselves to government celebrations and events.

Karroubi, an opposition leader was attacked

Mehdi Karroubi, a cleric and one of the opposition leaders was attacked by pro-government forces when he took part in a demonstration:

Demonstration in Tehran

Despite the strong presence of security forces, protesters in Tehran chanted slogans to support one of the opposition leaders, Mir Hussein Mousavi:

… and in Isfahan

Green Movement supporters also demonstrated in different cities outside Iran, including in London when they chanted slogans in front of Iran's embassy and called for Iran's ambassador to resign:

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