New York City Protest of Iranian Election - United Nations

[coolblaze007]

how can JEWISH vote in USA, Israel, and Iran...

[coolblaze007]

i donot see any iranians there. it's all filled with f****n jews

[jacobmart]

they are iranians, they speak persian...seems you don't understand persian language

[jacobmart]

they are iranians, they speak persian...seems you don't understand persian language

[ferymythologhy]

yo cant see any iranians ????

and you cant  see in Theran ,frankfurt , canada, australia ,around the world all jews ??? lloooooll

[SomethingIngenious]

Oh My, i love persian accents

Liar Liar, go away is a very persian thing to say =P

wish i was there!

[bb4960]

"Updates: In remarks on Iranian TV the Mayor of Tehran seemed to go against the security crackdown" anagram-ciphers to "IN A DOOMSDAY VIRUS: SECRET GP UNDERTAKER FAGS DOMINATE NECK DNA & THREATEN HEART WOUND & CHRIST DOOM".

[Kaminsky15]

It's disgusting that the human race has come this far technologically, but we still can't take care of our own just 6,000 miles away.

[fizzko]

Can anyone tell me when and where the next protest will be, or how I can find this information? I'm sure tons more people would show up if the info was broadcasted over the web! I've been searching for an hour with no luck.

[FantasticBabblings]

See my post to adrannicus below. I link to twitter accounts some of which have facebook pages. Depending on events on the ground I'm sure there will be more protests in NY.

[adriannicus]

There was no notice of this, I would have been there, loud and green! When is the next one?

[FantasticBabblings]

I found out less than two hours before from a Twitter contact inside Tehran. I think it was organized on Twitter on short notice. There was a bigger rally at Union Square this past Wednesday. Further rallies will depend on what happens inside Iran. I suggest following the Twitter links I posted in the description. Some of them link to facebook pages as well.

[Songsmirth]

This is it New York? It looks like an equal amount of protecters compaired to people taking pictures.  I expected a real crowd. Sad.

[Jevtar]

Saturday June 20 Global Iran Protest check Facebook causes :

GLOBAL-WHERE IS MY VOTE?

[FantasticBabblings]

This was organized with about two hours notice on Twitter, mostly among Iranians living in NYC. For the short notice there was a pretty good turnout.

[gllafc]

I wish I had known about this. I would have gone to show support.

[FantasticBabblings]

Follow the twitter links I posted. If there are more protests, they will probably mention them there.

[logicaust]

The more the US tries to insinuate itself into the affairs of nations like Iran, they risk legitimizing the real fear that Iranians have of unwanted Western interference.

The Ayatollah has concentrated more power than Khomeini ever did within his station, all the while pointing to the West all of his nation's failings and missteps.

It's gotten worse under Ahmadinejad, but don't ever make the mistake of thinking he's stupid/crazy; he's one of the smoothest operators I've ever seen in politics.

[logicaust]

So, what is one to do? Obama is taking correct steps, I think. Of course he would like to see somebody more in step with the rest of the "free" Western democracies, but just like Iraq, just like China, just like North Korea; what Western countries never seem to comprehend is that they never in a million years want to emulate the US.

They (Iran, China, N.Korea) are strong & complex, with a depth of history and tradition that make countries like post revolution America and France blush.

[logicaust]

Obama trying not to directly insinuate the US in Iran's affairs, although he (and the rest of the Western world) are very, very anxious that countries like Iran and N.Korea (neither of whom recognize the NNPT) are heading towards a nuclear future, destabilizing the power dynamics of their respective regions & frightening a hell of a lot of people (Japan, the US, even China and Russia; believe it or not).

Also, what N.Korea is showing now is total belligerence to its traditional regional allies.

[logicaust]

I can tell you right now that Russia and China are very. very. pissed off at N.Korea right now. One of the only reasons why N.Korea escaped so many toothless UN sanctions was due to the veto influence of the aforementioned; both of whom had massive interests in its resources.

Well, looks as though N.Korea is saying "Thanks for all the help, but we're okay now so go away. We strong, so don't f*** with us". In other words, N.Korea is looking to that bright future, and wants to keep its resources.

[logicaust]

So, from now on, you'll see the US, China and Russia agree to a lot of compromises in the near future, starting with active compliance with the new UN resolution against N.Korea.

They've already jumped the shark, apparently withdrawing huge sums of money from Macau accounts, anticipating that their overseas assets could likely be frozen very soon.

But, going back to the Iran election, these people will get their recount to merely confirm the results. The real test is how the West next moves.

[logicaust]

Obama will do everything he can to make the UN set the agenda; unilaterally.

I rail against the UN often because of the fact that the big three (US, China, Russia) veto nearly every important resolution that comes before them, because it'll "harm their interests in the region"..ugh.

But, I think they will actually work together and restrict N.Korea and Iran's ambitions for nuclear armament.

IMO N.Korea is loony-tunes. They could've gotten everything but the bomb, if they co-operated before...

[logicaust]

I'm sad for the people of Iran. I'm pretty sure that the elections were closer than what they reported it to be. And I do believe it's a travesty; and I do believe that people can and should protest to vent their disbelief, anger and sadness.

Burma, Fuji, Zimbabwe...many nations have had people in power that disenfranchise its people; It's happened since time immemorial. But where protests fail, true patriots (Kyi, Qionibaravi, Tsvangirai) will continue their people's struggle.

Peace Phil.

[FantasticBabblings]

I have serious doubts that this set of protests will change anything big in the short term. I hope it plants some seeds for the long term though. One thing I know, you would never see the kinds of protests in N.Korea that you are seeing in Iran.

[gyptianballer]

i agree that obama is taking the cautious and correct steps, remember last time the US meddled we ended up with 1953 which led directly to 1979

[FantasticBabblings]

I have Iranian contacts in the U.S. and in Tehran. While they want liberalization and have friendships in the west, they still have anger towards the U.S. government for its past interventions. I think Obama has to be very careful and not even give the appearance that we are trying to influence this. It is their struggle, and they need to control their own destiny.

[GramsandPapi]

Thanks so much for sharing this Phil! Hope you are well! Blessings, Ang

[jonsalvator]

Ok, I read all the comments here and everything, but can someone PLEASE explain to me what the hell is going on? Last time I checked on Iran, the US was threatening them. What's this about and who's who in this election? Too much to keep up with.

Thanks.

[FantasticBabblings]

Hi Jon. Have you been watching or reading the news? Some Iranians got arrested in Christopher Park and there is world wide outrage!

[jonsalvator]

Even more important to know. I gotta snap out of it and get on it somehow...

[jonsalvator]

wait... were you serious? lol

[tintintabulations]

Iranians are brave people. They deserve so much better.

[Xone7]

one day the people of Iran will overcome.

Great video as usual FB! Love ya!

[gratex]

they overcame nearly 60 years ago, sadly their democracy was overthrown by the US and the UK. perhaps they will be able to do it again, but the religious theocracy seems much more efficient in crushing organised dissent than the western dictator who was installed.

[battim]

amen.

[jbre5]

Great job reporting . Thanks for posting this

[MisterWeed]

Very encouraging and positive vibe. I hope these young Iranians will help shape a brighter future for their country and its subjugated people.

Islam sucks.. I hope they liberate themselves from that as well one day.

[marsnarsx]

"MisterWeed," Islam is a peaceful religion. These people have nothing against Islam. They want to liberate themselves from extremists who dare to call themselves Muslim but are in fact corrupt, power-hungry dictators.

[MisterWeed]

Oh come on.. stop with this apologetic nonsense.. A peaceful religion my ass.. look around you.. that is such a weak argument.

[FantasticBabblings]

I think it has to come incrementally. As the political system opens up some people will become more secular, though some will cling to religion. As long as they have the freedom to decide, it makes little difference to me. This is a step in the right direction. After all, we still have a defacto christian theocracy in the U.S.

[XlaviathanX]

Much Love ...Travis

[FantasticBabblings]

<3 Travis.

[moomay11649]

Good turnout FB.

Loves,

Mooz

Are you going to the NYC gathering on 7-8-9?

[FantasticBabblings]

Yes, I will be at 789. Will I see you there?

[moomay11649]

I think so FB. We are due to have another grandson around that time so I'm not positive yet.

Loves,

Mooz

[PappyStu]

Knowing the character of the regime I lean toward assuming the election was bogus... But do we know for certain it was rigged???

All I have heard is the media's spin and we know how reliable this is...

[battim]

Considering the system in place its automatically rigged. only the mullah can chose he even runs for president. so regardless if it were a good election of not, it was rigged from the get go, hence why all four women who apllied to run were denied by the celiphate.

[PappyStu]

I heard the results were announced moments after the poles closed counting 30 million some votes... They must be way more efficient than us at counting votes or something is rotten in Tehran....

[OhCurt]

Wow!

I'm heartened by the fact that we'd see such a healthy sized demonstration here in the states over this.

I'm also amazed that the Twitterers you listed in the side bar even still have access given how much communication has been cut off.

[FantasticBabblings]

I think the world wide infrastruction of the internet and a lot of tech cleverness make it difficult to completely close down communications. It's like blades of grass poking through cracks in the sidewalk. Freedom wants to grow and will find a way.

[thizizliz]

At first I wondered why some were hiding their faces, then I realized that they probably must fear reprisals against their families. Too sad! It is good when people post things like this - does anyone think the election was fair? Even mainstream media led me to believe it rigged. I hope more begin to see the light as well.

[FantasticBabblings]

I don't know how accurate or not this election was. But the whole system is rigged by the Guardian Council. Whether these protests will mark even baby steps towards more a more open system is still unknown. But the passion for freedom is there and I don't know if it can be put back in the bottle.

[thizizliz]

Well Keith & Rachel showed that in many cities carried by DinnerJacket, well over 100% of the population voted. To me that sounds like the ballot boxes "may" have been stuffed. I'm sort of seeing a rerun of Cheney and his little dog Shrub about 8 years ago....

[FantasticBabblings]

I just read a tweet that says the Guardian Council now admits that in 50 cities the vote exceeded the number of eligible voters. That's an interesting development.

[thizizliz]

Fascinating that they will admit it! This should be fun to watch, so long as we ONLY watch! It's not our business to butt into IMNSHO.

[SubmarinerAndroid]

God bless the people of Iran!

I hope that most Iranians know, and that most Americans know, that we are not enemies.

Our governments may cause problems between us, but people are people.

[ShortbusMooner]

Wow! I'm glad they're fighting this. I actually expected the election to be rigged, and I'm encouraged to see them protesting.

I'madinnerjacket is a nutcase!

Thanks for being Johhny-On-the-Spot for this, Phil! :)

[FantasticBabblings]

I hope the protests can survive, Teresa. I know the government will do everything in its considerable power (even murder) to stop them.

[heatherlynblue]

thank you for posting this, FB.

[FantasticBabblings]

Thanks, Heather. It was very heartening to see not just the urgency and passion of these protesters (most of them Iranians living in NY), but the joy in their faces from expressing their passion. I was enriched by the experience.

[heatherlynblue]

engaging in the process is a powerful experience - i am so glad Iranian Americans are standing up and being heard. we would be wise to recognize the importance of this moment and stand along side them en masse.