Iran Opposition Finds New Ways to Protest
Wall Street Journal / Farnaz Fassihi
07-Jul-2009

In a novel attempt to outflank government restrictions, opposition supporters alerted one another to take advantage of an Islamic tradition rarely practiced in Iran called Etekaf. It calls for a retreat from worldly activities during these three days in the month of Rajab in the Islamic calendar.The strikes come just ahead of a protest planned for Thursday to commemorate 18 Tir, the 1999 student uprisings that led to dozens of students getting killed. "By staying away from workplace, the brave people of Iran can show they will never accept this illegitimate government," wrote an Iranian columnist in Iran on a news Web site.The opposition has also called for other creative forms of civil disobedience. Protesters have been asked to create a possible electrical blackout in Tehran by plugging in all their household electric appliances exactly at the same time, and to spray green paint on walls in their neighborhood -- moves that are difficult for the government militia to shut down.  The postelection uprising that rocked Iran starting in early June created the worst crisis the regime has faced in the Islamic Republic's 30-year history. It also appears to be leading to the first real opposition movement inside Iran. Previously, dissent was mostly limited to students and intellectuals, and exile groups were largely dismissed as out of touch.But now, Iran's opposition is being led by three founders of the Islamic revolution who all have held official posts in the pas... >>>

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