AP photo
Student movement
Point of no return
April 4, 2000
The Iranian
The students who took to the streets in July of last year to demand
greater freedoms received the third highest number of votes in our survey.
Nearly 13 percent of the readers of The Iranian who took part in
the survey said they deserved to be recognized as Iranians of the year.
See comments below from readers. To see features
and photos related to the student movement, click here.
Iranian
of the year 1379/1999 main index
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* Bloody shirt
I think the Iranian of the year, should be Ahmad Batebi, the student
whose image was on the cover of many international papers. This powerful
image of a student
holding a bloody shirt of his fellow beaten student is comparable to
the image of Che Guevara which has been reproduced thousands, possibly
millions of times. This picture, namely Batebi, in my opinion is a representation
of all the struggles of the young generation of Iranians striving for democracy.
It is also worth mentioning that he is still in jail and being tortured
possibly even as I write this e-mail to you.
Roozbeh
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* Rocked Islamic Republic
The student movement rocked the foundations of the Islamic Republic.
Although it did not destabilize the government itself, it drove home the
message to ALL government leaders that the staus quo was not acceptable
and change was inevitable. The successful election of a reformist Majlis
demonstrates that the message was heard lound and clear by some of those
leaders. The student movement remains crucial, if the unelected figures
who continue to control significant roles in the republic are to be removed
from power.
Kourosh Parham
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* Wake-up call
The student movement was a wakeup call for the establishment.
Firooz Gidfar
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* Idealism
The student protestors in Tehran and other cities: For their idealism
and dedication in demanding reform in the face of cynicism and fear.
Kaveh Niazi
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* Meaning of courage
My choice for Iranian of the tear would be the Iranian students for
showing us all the true meaning of courage; and, for showing the world
that the quest for freedom and progress shall always persist in Iran.
Nazenin Ansari
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* Prisoner of conscience
I vote for the symbolic student at last summer's uprising. If I have
to mention a name, then, it is Manouchehr Mohammadi, the one who has been
condemned to death. Every efforts MUST be made to eliminate his chances
of getting executed, as he is simply a political prisoner of conscience.
DnR
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* Completing movement
The students are completing what my generation left unfinished. I wish
there were something we could do for those who have been jailed.
Massoud Faghihi
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* Democracy without violence
The student movement made two things very clear for the whole world:
1. It exposed the corrupt and violent nature of the regime. 2. The youth
of Iran want secular democracy through non-violent means. They did not
fall for the trap set by right wing thugs, and they did not pay any attention
to terrorists on the enemy's payroll in Iraq.
Mashaie
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* Sincere
The students are probably the most sincere of all others [working for
reform].
Kiumarss Nasseri
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* Risked life
Definitely the students should be selected as the Iranians of the year.
These brave souls are opposing one of most backward relegious dictatorship
in the world today. They have have risked their life for democracy and
justice for the people of Iran. Every democractic-minded Iranian person
should support their struggle, and direct the world's attention on the
thousands that are imprisoned in the Islamic dungeons in Iran.
Saeed
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* Point of no return
They have shown us the point of no return, which is the path toward
freedom and justice.
A. Basseri
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* Six reasons
The students are the Iranians of the year. Why? 1) They are our future,
they are new voice from iran. they are going to change all political and
cultural images of Iran in the world, 2) They are the new genaration who
want to bring a democratic and civilized system, which we need for reform
and development in our country, 3) This movement showed us that the Islamic
regime has NO FUTURE, and that the new genaration want CHANGE, CHANGE,
CHANGE, 4) They demonstrated a new political and cultural platform,which
is revolutionary, democratic, modern, civilized, and acceptable worldwide,
5) The movement came as a shock to the old political parties and groups
inside and outside Iran and said GOODBYE to all undemocratic political
and ideological attitudes, 6) It is clear that the student movement's demands
are what we wish for and the students are risking everything for freedom
and democrasy and a modern and secular system.
Alex Anahita
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* Right cause
My choice is the students because of their great movement and their
bravery for the right cause
B4024@aol.com
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* Love of freedom
Students came to the streets and bravely shouted against evil. As opposed
to all the other nominates, they did not have any motive except loving
our country and freedom.
Shahin
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* Chose freedom
The students chose freedom and human rights against theocracy!
Azadi
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Related
Features on the July 1999 student movement
* Eyewitness: The
spark
... that ignited nation-wide student protests
July 12, 1999
* Eyewitness: Great
pain
Eyewitness accounts of tension in Tehran
July 13, 1999
* Photos: (1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
* Letter: Solidarity
with students
American academics write to President Khatami
March 3, 2000
* Opinion: Now
what?
Three possibilities following the student protests
By Mark J. Gasiorowski
July 15, 1999
* Opinion: 1979
not 1999
Protest movement has no recognized leader
By Fereydoun Hoveyda
July 20, 1999
* Opinion: Widening
gap
Reflections on the student uprising
By Rasool Nafisi
July 26, 1999
* Opinion: Gridlock
Student protests, the government and the constitution
By Guive Mirfendereski
July 15, 1999
* Opinion: Deja
Vu
20 years after the revolution
By Arash Markazi
July 16, 1999
* Opinion: It's
the civil society, stupid
It's ugly and brutal - but true
By Mansoureh Haqshenas & Koorosh Bayat
July 21, 1999
* Poem: Book
of kings
A tribute to Iranian students
By Laleh Khalili
July 15, 1999
* Iranian
of the year 1999
Abdollah Nouri gets highest votes
April 3, 2000
* Iranian
of the Year, 1998
Your choices as the most important people of the past year
March 26, 1999
* Iranian
of the Year, 1997
Members of The Iranian Times voted for the Iranian of the Year
March 23, 1998
* Iranian
of the century
Internet survey
January 3, 2000
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