Video: The women of Iran’s protests
posted at 9:28 am on June 22, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
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CNN has done well in covering the Iran crisis, and this morning they have a report on one of the more interesting and promising subplots — the role of women in the protests. Shoreh Aghdashloo proudly claimed that 40% of the people in the streets were women in a Fox & Friends interview last week, and the infuriating and senseless murder of Neda Agha Soltan has galvanized the movement. CNN reports that the women have taken an interesting and perhaps calming role in the protests, but the latter hasn’t kept them from becoming targets of the regime:
CNN also has a good segment on Neda herself:
Why have women become such an integral part of the protests? They certainly have the most to gain from a change of government. An end to the mullahcracy would mean opportunity for women, politically as well as culturally, and an end to the morals police that beat them on the streets for not wearing proper covering in public. They might have the most to lose as well, in a reactionary Iran after the failure of protests to rid the country of Khamenei and his Guardian Council.
The second report underscores the trouble for the regime if women continue to pour into the streets, as they surely will after the murder of Neda. Let’s hope she’s right.
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I hope the spooks are doing more than our ‘President’ is.
cntrlfrk on June 22, 2009 at 9:30 AM
More dead women coming soon.
bridgetown on June 22, 2009 at 9:32 AM
where are the Dixie Chix?
moonbatkiller on June 22, 2009 at 9:34 AM
Women like Sotomayer whine about their supposed lack of opportunities in this country.Michelle Obama had to have herself running for First Lady to feel proud of her country. I wonder if they’d prefer Iran.
Jeff from WI on June 22, 2009 at 9:34 AM
They HATE America, so they’d fit in real well there.
Jeff from WI on June 22, 2009 at 9:34 AM
Take heed, Ogabe, my wife would be doing more than just collecting rocks.
Good for the Iranian women, standing up for themselves and taking an active part; Islamic countries need more of this to throw off that misogynistic yoke.
Bishop on June 22, 2009 at 9:35 AM
ER…ah…well…er…nevermind
Jeff from WI on June 22, 2009 at 9:35 AM
Women are the Achilles Heel of Islam as a whole. If we can empower them and leverage their power we can trigger a Muslim reformation.
elduende on June 22, 2009 at 9:39 AM
(not) awaiting a response from NOW.
rbj on June 22, 2009 at 9:42 AM
Paging:
ANSWER
Code Pink
Raging Grannies
NOW
blatantblue on June 22, 2009 at 9:44 AM
Paging
Sharon Stone
Fonda
Susan Surandon
blatantblue on June 22, 2009 at 9:45 AM
This is my fear for those women.
How about paging our female politicians, namely our SOS?
ladyingray on June 22, 2009 at 9:47 AM
BarbaraSenator Boxer could not be reached for comment.Rovin on June 22, 2009 at 9:47 AM
Paging Senator Barabara “A baby doesnt have rights until you take it home” Boxer
Miss Plastique Congresswoman Pelosi
Gloria Steinem
Michael Moore
blatantblue on June 22, 2009 at 9:48 AM
F*cking “feminists”
More like femin-opportunists
They don’t give a rats balls about Iranian women
Or ANYONE
Just their pocketbooks.
Dumb hoes
blatantblue on June 22, 2009 at 9:50 AM
If it’s not over abortion, it don’t matter.
V15J on June 22, 2009 at 9:52 AM
You might be right, women’s suffrage certainly backfired and ruined THIS country. Thanks to them we have Democrats in power.
Jeff from WI on June 22, 2009 at 9:52 AM
the iranian women could teach the oboobi admin a whole lot about courage, courage seems to escape all the demonrats…
SHARPTOOTH on June 22, 2009 at 9:54 AM
To the women of Iran, I pray for your safety, sanity, and more importantly your freedom.
milwife88 on June 22, 2009 at 9:54 AM
The women who live under Islamic law must be more careful and watchful than the women who pushed for freedoms in the so called free world. It’s a mistake, in my opinion, to project the expectations women in the free world enjoy onto these Muslim women–yet. Great that they are taking this rare opportunity to speak out and I wish them much luck. However, I do not wish them thoroughly crushed under the weight of the regimes and religious laws they must live under–and this could easily happen. The men who control their worlds are ruthless when it come to maintaining power. It’s just plain dangerous for women in these countries and I hope they are figuring this into their strategies.
jeanie on June 22, 2009 at 9:58 AM
LOL! That was great!
elduende on June 22, 2009 at 9:58 AM
You’re right about that…the choose who to cry over…and sadly, the Iranian women are not being cried over…
ladyingray on June 22, 2009 at 9:59 AM
Well, I’m crying over them…
ladyingray on June 22, 2009 at 10:00 AM
Of course not. The hypocrisy, however, is that they have a very limited idea of what opportunity and success means. A woman has to get the top of the heap to have succeeded. Staying at home and raising a family is tantamount to failure for somebody like Michelle Obama. God forbid that she or her husband do something other than give lip service to raising children. In the meantime the Obama kids are being raised by their Grandmother and paid caregivers.
highhopes on June 22, 2009 at 10:00 AM
Interesting. I recently argued with a friend who said that the media’s focus on female Mousavi supporters, specifically ones who appeared in make-up and fashionable dress, was frivolous and proof of bias. What people don’t realize is that under Ahmadinejad’s rules you can be fined for wearing a shade of nailpolish too bright or a coat that is tailored too close. The fact that women are out there protesting and blatantly defying the regime’s rules is a huge statement in itself.
People might say there is little difference between Mousavi and Ahmadinejad, but at least Mousavi doesn’t force his wife to walk around in a burqa.
Siobhan on June 22, 2009 at 10:01 AM
It seems it would be in the best interests of all to have women take a role in governing the people since the men have been so corrupt and deceitful that it is beyond comprehension their abilities to serve are credible. Then you see Peloser, Boxer, Finestein and Hillary and say what the the hell is the difference?
volsense on June 22, 2009 at 10:03 AM
AKGovSarahPalin
Women worldwide watching Iran protests led by women demanding fair election & equality; their voices loud, strong; they will usher in change
about 23 hours ago from TwitterBerry
BPD on June 22, 2009 at 10:03 AM
For groups like NOW, it isn’t about abortion which is pretty much a settled issue at this point. It is about FUNDRAISING using the threat of the “return of the coathanger” as premise for their existence.
highhopes on June 22, 2009 at 10:03 AM
In the Palestine/Israel conflict Muslims use women to help fight and die and they receive nothing in return. I hope these women are not being used in the same way. They are so oppressed by the men in their culture they think that if they die in the same numbers then they will be equal. The men in this culture should be protecting their women, not pushing them out in front.
sammypants on June 22, 2009 at 10:05 AM
wow…just wow. These women are very brave. I liked the term lion women.
bazil9 on June 22, 2009 at 10:07 AM
Jeff from WI on June 22, 2009 at 9:52 AM
“You might be right, women’s suffrage certainly backfired and ruined THIS country. Thanks to them we have Democrats in power.”
There’s much truth in what you said. It’s also true in the various State legislatures and the Congress. Many of the ‘nanny’ laws have originated from that sphere. I don’t pretend to know what’s wrong or right, but I’ve got to agree with you that the women’s vote changed the playing field dramatically–often for better and just as often for worse.
jeanie on June 22, 2009 at 10:09 AM
blatantblue on June 22, 2009 at 9:50 AM
That’s how I feel bb. They are hypocrites.
bazil9 on June 22, 2009 at 10:09 AM
I wanted to punch her in the mouth when she was wearing her head scarf “as a sign of respect”, telling Israelis to stop building settlements, yet saying NOTHING about precisely this stuff, while her supporters keep bringing up her Beijing speech, “women’s rights are human rights.” Sellout.
alliebobbitt on June 22, 2009 at 10:10 AM
Muslim women have rights. I have a picture that shows it.
Sure they do./
WildBillK on June 22, 2009 at 10:12 AM
Yes. There was a story about women whining about getting arrested perfectly civilly (by the police – the protesters were foul mouthed)for basically wasting police time in the UK newspapers yesterday. After spending the day watching videos from Iran, where women are risking their lives for just showing a few strands of hair, you wondered how the self absorbed women could look at themselves in the mirror.
Hope on June 22, 2009 at 10:14 AM
My heart goes out to anyone over there, and around the world, standing up to the oppression.
I spent Saturday night glued to coverage as reports tweeted and trickled in. Even the normally goofy Shepard Smith seemed moved and awed at the demostrations.
JamesLee on June 22, 2009 at 10:15 AM
Even the way you explained it, still sounds like it’s about abortion.
V15J on June 22, 2009 at 10:18 AM
The second clip of Neda looking at the camera is what I was referring to in another post, her eyes tell you everything as she passes.
As a combat veteran, I can attest that looking into the eyes of a person before they pass will tell you more about the person and circumstances of their life at that moment, than if you had known the person for years.
At that moment, I understand Neda was educated and seeking the truth, and did not have any malice towards the repressive (not representative) government which controlled her life and the lives of the entire population. She was part of crowd only to learn why, not cause damage or violence.
MSGTAS on June 22, 2009 at 10:20 AM
Hillary? Michelle Obama? Pelosi? Madame Boxer? NOW?
SouthernGent on June 22, 2009 at 10:26 AM
Actually, Mousavi’s wife is really the reason why the young woman were flocking to Mousavi to begin with. They seem to have a very modern western-type marriage, and she is very radical and played a prominent role in the campaign. Apparently, she freaked Dinner Jacket out so much that he started attacking her.
As for the concerns, women aren’t just concerned about wearing makeup and Western clothes. They’re more concerned about the civil and legal limitations on them. Mousavi promised to revisit family law (divorce, etc.). If you’ve read Reading Lolita in Tehran, you know that even in the case of domestic abuse it is impossible for women seeking to get a divorce in Iran to get a fair shake. Mousavi also promised to appoint women cabinet ministers which was apparently unheard of in Iran. Iranian women are more educated than males. I believe 60% of the university students are women. But even with that education, they’re limited in what they can do.
Illinidiva on June 22, 2009 at 10:29 AM
There have been times when I’ve watched protests taking place in this country and I’ve been absolutely sure that the woman waving the sign around has no idea what she’s protesting or even why she’s really there. You know the one–she’s the one the reporter never fails to interview and she usually says something that convinces you even more that she’s someone’s tool. Makes one wonder if some of the women in Iran really understand what they are part of–or some of those young men either. Still, I’ve got to agree with the someone who posted on another thread saying that the Genie was out of the bottle now.
jeanie on June 22, 2009 at 10:32 AM
Sarah Palin is the only female politician saying something.
jencab on June 22, 2009 at 10:32 AM
I like that term as well.
ladyingray on June 22, 2009 at 10:35 AM
Reason #4,902,712 to love Gov. Sarah Palin!
SouthernGent on June 22, 2009 at 10:37 AM
As long as Shari’a law or other similar is in place, the lives of women who live under it will change little. It is skewed against them and if the local courts enforce it, there’s no escape. Will be a long, hard and painful road to change or modify it. Even if Mousavi comes to power, the pressure to leave things much as they are will most likely be overwhelming.
jeanie on June 22, 2009 at 10:42 AM
We should not be surprised. Gov Palin is a leader and she has courage. She is fearless in the face of her Jack-Boot critics.
Gov Palin is a force of Nature.
Geochelone on June 22, 2009 at 10:44 AM
As a woman I stand in solidarity with my “sisters” in Iran.
If I were there I promise-I would NOT go quietly.
annoyinglittletwerp on June 22, 2009 at 10:45 AM
The Arctic Fox can run rings around these bloated bureaucrats.
Hillary is one pathetic SOS. Hill is probably watching polling data so she can know what her opinion is going to be today.
Geochelone on June 22, 2009 at 10:47 AM
I saw this last night, too, BPD.
It’s amazing how much more balls Palin has than Obama, isn’t it?
/icecream.
bluelightbrigade on June 22, 2009 at 10:49 AM
What is so infuriating (would be amusing if not for the seriousness) is that all these Ogabe supporters who are totally “with him” on the neutrality pose would undoubtedly be right behind him were he to do the opposite and speak up like a man for democracy and freedom. It is simple idol worship and they will create Rube Goldbergesque arguments to defend their asshat leader.
max1 on June 22, 2009 at 10:51 AM
I don’t believe abortion IS a settled issue. Prior to the Emancipation Proclamation our country allowed the barbaric act of slavery in this country. Slavery and abortion are pretty much the same thing. In BOTH cases, you have what is obviously a human being being legally called something much less,a possession, mere chattel.
Because of this legal status, both slaves and the unborn babies can, and have been legally tortured and killed.
It took decades for some people in this country to start to rise up and very loudly attack both these barbaric situations. The generation that holds abortion dear is my generation, baby boomers, the most selfish, loathsome, disgusting group of citizens this country has ever seen. Slowly our generation is dyiong off. You can see it in the old hippies now. Pathetic reminders of that mindless time whose generational high point was 4 days wallowing in the mud, like pigs, on an upstate NY farm, stoned out of their minds. Luckily for America we’ll all be dead in a few years.
Jeff from WI on June 22, 2009 at 10:52 AM
Reason #4,902,712 to love Gov. Sarah Palin!
SouthernGent on June 22, 2009 at 10:37 AM
Yes gent!
bazil9 on June 22, 2009 at 10:52 AM
Yesterday, Governor Sarah Palin tweeted the following message in support of the brave women in Iran:
“Women worldwide watching Iran protests led by women demanding fair election & equality; their voices loud, strong; they will usher in change”
http://twitter.com/AKGovSarahPalin
sarahpalinfan99 on June 22, 2009 at 10:54 AM
I’ve never seen a twitter “thingie” until I went to this link. While I support S. Palin, if this is twitter, it’s as boring as a John Kerry speech. ZZZZZZZZZZ
Jeff from WI on June 22, 2009 at 11:02 AM
We’ve seen this before. This is one of my favorite films. Especially the part where they get loaded into trucks and taken away with hands tie wrapped on top of their kaffiyas. I wonder if Obama’s having popcorn with that ice cream.
Reality Check on June 22, 2009 at 11:04 AM
Should someone moderate come to power in Iran, it just might signal some cracks in the hard line religious law there. If it becomes ‘custom’ to ignore some of the harsher parts of Shari’a–these might gradually fade into disuse. If this were to happen women there would quietly become more emancipated and slowly and tacitly granted more freedoms and justice over time. Overt attempts to change these laws will trigger hard line resistance such as we are seeing now. Ladies of Iran, play it cool please. Work slowly, steadily, relentlessly and quietly towards your goals and they will come sooner or later.
jeanie on June 22, 2009 at 11:08 AM
Well, the attractive ones are being cried over; the ugly ones apparently don’t matter. It’s soooo much more tragic when an attractive woman dies…
Hey, you looks obsessed guys want to have some fun? Try replacing your adjectives for beauty and youth with ethnicities. You might get a better idea of how bad you sound.
austinnelly on June 22, 2009 at 11:09 AM
Well I have seen the video of the young woman dieing.
I see a great contrast between the Iranian people and the people of USA. They (Iraniana) are fighting with their lives for freedom. We here in the USA cannot wait to hand over MORE control to the Government.
I have great hope for Iran and have been inspired by them.
On the other hand , I have grave concerns for the USA and am very dissapointed in the American voters.
ColdWarrior57 on June 22, 2009 at 11:28 AM
Link to the Guv’s statement on Twitter.
DaveC on June 22, 2009 at 11:28 AM
Neda’s murder means the end of the mullahs.
The viral defeating the virulent.
profitsbeard on June 22, 2009 at 11:29 AM
That is a really wonderful book.
myrenovations on June 22, 2009 at 11:34 AM
I’m crying over them all…do not presume to think you know me or how I feel. And you’d be better served not to presume to think you know how the men of HA feel about this situation either.
ladyingray on June 22, 2009 at 11:36 AM
I hope it is a sign that the younger generation is ready to grant women greater rights. But I suspect that if the revolution is successful, the Islamic insanity will rear it’s ugly head and the very people who helped win the revolution will be put right back in their place as second class citizens.
csdeven on June 22, 2009 at 11:37 AM
Try this thread from last night.
After hours of discussion, the two sides of this never convinced the other.
csdeven on June 22, 2009 at 11:42 AM
Has anyone heard from NOW on the murder of this woman? Maybe it doesn’t matter to them because she wasn’t specifically targeted because she was a female?
csdeven on June 22, 2009 at 11:44 AM
“who helped win the revolution will be put right back in their place as second class citizens.”
csdeven on June 22, 2009 at 11:37 AM
This is my fear too—one step forward and two steps back. In all but the most oppressive Islamic countries women have made some steps forward–hard won and welcome steps forward. They attend college now, they are active in professions, they run businesses–these are all positive achievements and I would not like to see any backlash from the hard liners in Iran eroding these. Change there seems to come very slowly. The women in Iran need to continue,for now, along this route–keep change slow and imperceptible and above all, happening!
jeanie on June 22, 2009 at 11:59 AM
How do you sound? Shrill? You are really reaching for an issue on this one. You are putting words in our mouths and now you suggest playing word substitution games. Are you a member of the PC Thought Police?
Geochelone on June 22, 2009 at 12:01 PM
My prayers, and support, are behind these women, and all women that live under these oppressive regimes. God bless, and keep you, and give you strenght to prevail, and on to a path of victory, for all women who live under such oppression!
capejasmine on June 22, 2009 at 12:05 PM
There are people posting here in support of liberty and justice for Iranian women, and mourning their brutal killings. But you aren’t.
Loxodonta on June 22, 2009 at 12:10 PM
They are preoccupied with flogging themselves for having to condem the Letterman comedy routine.
myrenovations on June 22, 2009 at 12:13 PM
I hope you are right, but I doubt it. Women are like livestock to those Muslims. Rubbing out a few cattle is insignificant to those morons.
saiga on June 22, 2009 at 12:29 PM
Although ANY murder should be condemned, it’s a bit harder for me to get as upset over the death of someone, or in this case many people, who spent their lives shouting: “Death To America!”
Jeff from WI on June 22, 2009 at 12:44 PM
How would they do that? Perhaps to keep a fetus in their womb a few extra days? Maybe to say thank you to a man that might hold a door for them? hahaha The possibilities are endless!
csdeven on June 22, 2009 at 1:16 PM
lol I can tell you really do care deeply about women issues.
The second one of these Iranian women you guys pretend to care about asks for equal pay…you would call her a dumb
feminazi.
beekiller on June 22, 2009 at 2:00 PM
beekiller
Most of the intolerance-I have a form of autism-and ill behavior I have experience has come from the “enlightened” sages of the left. My name’s Barb-so my gender is obvious
Conservatives actually walk the walk.
“Progressives” like to hear the sound of their own voices-but not much else.
annoyinglittletwerp on June 22, 2009 at 4:06 PM
Leftist western feminists have opted out of these demonstrations unless they become rabidly anti-Western and anti-American. They also suspect that these women may be culturally conservative and religious and therefore they remain off limits.
wraithby on June 22, 2009 at 5:30 PM
Then explain why your party has a small fraction of women?
beekiller on June 22, 2009 at 6:15 PM
Let’s book them for a gig in Tehran. Send a few Hollywood pukes along too.
Jeff from WI on June 22, 2009 at 6:23 PM
Under the Shah, women HAD rights. Once the Shah was deposed, the clock was turned back one thousand, three hundred years.
StimulateTHIS on June 22, 2009 at 8:18 PM
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