As Iran’s opposition movement takes to the streets Thursday,
it does so having made little concrete progress despite eight months of
protests, and it must now choose between the relatively cautious path
set by its leaders and the radical course advocated by some members.
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Opposition leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi, who lost to
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in the disputed election last June, say
the demonstrations are about staying true to the ideals of the Islamic
republic and fully implementing the nation’s constitution. But many
protesters, frustrated by the government’s uncompromising stance and
continuing crackdown, are calling for the complete downfall of the
31-year-old system of clerical rule.
This growing fracture within the movement will be put to the test
Thursday. The anti-government demonstration, which will be held
alongside pro-government rallies as millions of Iranians mark the
anniversary of the Islamic revolution, could be the last opportunity for
the opposition to stage a large protest for at least several months.
Some within the movement say the chance to change Iran is slipping away.
“There could be 2 million people demonstrating against the government.
What difference does it really make? The government …
