Speed of Life

July 9, Tehran #iranelection , originally uploaded by .faramarz . Protests marking the 10th anniversary of the 1999 student killings (by the basij) at Tehran University More photos from July 9, 2009 can be found here: Photos of the 10th anniversary protests in Tehran Reports ppl coming out of their homes, standing in their own streets, shouting Allah Akbar and death to the dictators. #iranelection #gr88 RT @oxfordgirl Basij reported to be in retreat for first time, perhaps not happy being led by Khamenei son?! #iranelection #gr88 From the New York Times: Update | 12:07 p.m. The New York Times has received two e-mail messages from a witness to the protests on Thursday in Tehran, whose name we will withhold for that person’s safety. This first e-mail message was sent just over one hour ago: The phones are completely out. I’m hiding in an international hotel…. riot police wanted to break in but the managers convinced them. The crowd is running in the thousands, starting in Enqelab ...

June 6, 2009 Shirin Ebadi, the Chair of the Defenders for Human Rights Center has issued an open letter to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, requesting the removal of a ban placed on the operation of the DHRC, and an end to security and political pressures on civil, political and human rights activists by governmental bodies and officials in his administration. In this letter, Ebadi has reviewed the pressures imposed on the members of the Defenders of Human Rights Center over the past six months. She has further asked the President if these actions and pressures, which are all in contradiction to the laws of the Islamic Republic of Iran, are in fact in line with the best national interests of the government and the country. The letter issued by Shirin Ebadi appears below: The honorable President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, As you know, after the victory of the Revolution in February 1979, limitations were placed on female judges and they were disallowed from serving in this position. As such, I...

U2 plays Electrical Storm in concert for the first time ever on July 2, 2009 in Barcelona.

Update: U2 Now Scrolls Rumi Poem Azadi in Solidarity With Artists 4 Freedom The Irish rock band U2, during a concert for their new album No Line on the Horizon , bathed the concert hall in Barcelona in a rich green and scrolled what appeared to be Rumi's The Song of the Reed Flute or alternately titled in a translation by Philip Dunn, Manuela Dunn Mascetti and R.A. Nicholson - On Separation and Words . Video of "Sunday Bloody Sunday" with Rumi's poem can be seen at: U2 and Rumi Krista Tippett writes that "In the Song of the Reed , Rumi reflects on the human spirit through the metaphor of the ancient reed flute or ney that is popular in Middle Eastern music. This poem opened the Masnavi, Rumi's compendium of rhyming couplets that explored issues of Sufi theology and the spiritual journey." I post the poem in full in solidarity with the struggle in Iran: ( Please buy the book and Coleman Bark's heartfelt translations of Rumi also belong on your boo...

U2 - Sunday Bloody Sunday in Green for Iran (Live 02 July 2009 @ Camp Nou, Barcelona) July 7, 2009 Video in Milan Can Be Found Here: U2Goes Green Again for Iran in Milan Much thanks to Bono, the Edge. Larry and Adam Also a must read from Der Spiegel Online is an interview with Iranian theologian and philosopher Mohsen Kadivar: Iranian Regime Critic Mohsen Kadivar 'This Iranian Form of Theocracy Has Failed'

Gregg Chadwick A Persian Vigil (for Marjane Satrapi) 24"x48" oil on linen 2009 Tomorrow is the 4th of July in the United States. As I think in red, white and blue, more than a hint of green enters my thoughts. Today in the New York Times, Marjene Satrapi writes longingly and powerfully about her true home in Iran: It’s likely needless to remind you that this was not the first time Iranians showed how much they love freedom. Look only at the 20th century: They launched the Constitutional Revolution of 1906 (the first in Asia); nationalized the oil industry in 1951 (the first Middle Eastern country to do so); mounted the revolution of 1979; and engineered the student revolt of 1999. Which brings us to now, and that deafening cry for democracy. Almost 20 years ago, when I started studying art in Tehran, the very idea of “politics” was so frightening that we didn’t even dare think about it. To talk about it? Beyond belief! To demonstrate in the streets against the president? Surr...

Revolution '09 موج سبز , originally uploaded by greggchadwick . Gregg Chadwick Revolution '09 موج سبز 48"x36" oil on linen 2009 (in progress - the revolution and the painting) An Iranian citizen writes from Tehran: (from Andrew Sullivan) "I remember September 11, 2001. I remember watching TV all day worried and sad. I remember holding candlelight vigils with my friends for the victims. Then George W. Bush went on to declare us as one of the “Axis of Evil.” I remember asking myself, “Why?” Not a single one of the terrorists was Iranian, and I wondered why he didn’t bother to make a distinction between the government and the people. In fact, in all of the Middle East I don’t think there is a more pro-American nation than Iran, but no one made such a distinction. Consequently, the Iranian people were viewed with an aura of suspicion in every airport and embassy around the world for the rest of the Bush administration." "But all of that unfounded ...

From Don Was: On June 24, Iranian Superstar Andy Madadian went into an LA recording studio with Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora and American record producers Don Was and John Shanks to record a musical message of worldwide solidarity with the people of Iran. This version of the old Ben E. King classic is not for sale - it was not meant to be on the Billboard charts or even manufactured as a CD.....it's intended to be downloaded and shared by the Iranian people...to give voice to the sentiment that all people of the world stand together....the handwritten Farsi sign in the video translates to "we are one". If you know someone in Iran - or someone who knows someone in Iran - please share this link: Stand by Me for Iran free mp3 Stand by Me for Iran Video Much more at: Andrew Sullivan at theAtlantic

New Video Leaks from Behind the Iran Curtain from June 20, 2009 - Basij Firing from Roof All I can say is that the Basij firing from the roof is a coward and a criminal.

تجمع مردم معترض به نتایج انتخابات-هفتم تیر ماه 88 رو به روی مسجد قبا واقع در محدوده خیابان شریعتی Video report seems to confirm reports that thousands of protesters gathered today in & around Ghoba mosque. #iranelection #gr88 #neda

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band Blast Through Badlands Today (June 27, 2009) at the Glastonbury Music Festival in the UK "For the ones who had a notion And a notion deep inside It ain't no sin to be glad you're alive...." Letter from the late great Joe Strummer extolling Springsteen's virtues Bruce Springsteen - Born To Run Uploaded by Saklas . - Explore more music videos. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band - Born to Run - Today (June 27, 2009) at the Glastonbury Music Festival in the UK (New Zealand flag at 2:15 - praying you're safe persiankiwi) Bruce Springsteen Dancing In The Dark Uploaded by Saklas . Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band- Dancing in the Dark - Today (June 27, 2009) at the Glastonbury Music Festival in the UK Bruce Springsteen - Glory Days Uploaded by Saklas . - Music videos, artist interviews, concerts and more. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band- Glory Days - Today (June 27, 2009) at the Glastonbury Music Festival in...

Cue David Bowie's Heroes as you watch this video from Iran which was posted today. Amazing courage.

Simin Behbahani, Iran's national poet A Poem For Neda Soltan by Simin Behbahani, Iran's national poet from NPR Simin Behbahani, Iran's national poet, spoke with NPR's Davar Iran Ardalan from Tehran on Friday June 26th. She recites two poems inspired by the protests -- one dedicated to the people of Iran and the other dedicated to Neda Agha-Soltan, the young woman mourned around the world because her death during last Saturday's protests was viewed by millions on the Web and TV. A Poem for the People of Iran Much more at: Andrew Sullivan at theAtlantic

Arash Hejazi's website has been dumped by the authorities in Iran, but I caught a screenshot of it as I wrote a comment to Dr. Hejazi. My words do not capture the true heroism of Dr. Hejazi and the citizens of Iran, but in the spirit of witness I post them here after I reprint Arash Hejazi's moving words: Neda's Death. Eyewitness As you might have read on Paulo Coelho's blog, I was the doctor who tried to save Neda. I am the one who sent the video of her cruel death for the world to see. I am the person in the video who tries to control her bleeding ... in vain. I was the one who looked into her eyes, right before they lost their light forever. A famous Iranian writer called Sadeq Hedayet wrote, "There are sores which slowly erode the mind in solitude like a kind of canker." I have to live with this sore. But I am going to tell the story soon. I wrote a comment: Dear Dr. Hejazi, I am but a painter and can not attempt to feel your pain or anger. But I do want ...

Kiss the Sky: Green Balloons Over Tehran, June 26, 2009 From the New York Times: Keeping pressure on Iran's rulers, Obama emphasized the rights of the people there. ''Their bravery in the face of brutality is a testament to their enduring pursuit of justice,'' Obama said. ''The violence perpetrated against them is outrageous. In spite of the government's efforts to keep the world from bearing witness to that violence, we see it and we condemn it.'' Iran's violent postelection chaos has captured the world's attention and elicited increasingly sharp condemnations from Obama. Iran's ruling clergy have widened the clampdown on the opposition since a bitterly disputed June 12 presidential election, and scattered protests have replaced the initial mass rallies. At least 17 people have been killed in a state-led crackdown on protesters. Obama said Mousavi had captured the spirit and imagination of the Iranian people who want a more free soci...

Jennifer Garner Dances to Michael Jackson's "Thriller"

Below I have posted the full text from the BBC, again to help circumvent the massive censorship and lies coming from the government in Iran: Thursday, 25 June 2009 19:13 UK I ran doctor tells of Neda's death "We heard a gunshot. Neda was standing a metre away from me... I saw blood gushing out of her chest" The doctor who tried to save an Iranian protester as she bled to death on a street in Tehran has told the BBC of her final moments. Dr Arash Hejazi, who is studying at a university in the south of England, said he ran to Neda Agha-Soltan's aid after seeing she had been shot in the chest. Despite his attempts to stop the bleeding she died in less than a minute, he said. Dr Hejazi says he posted the video of Ms Soltan's death on the internet and images of her have become a rallying point for Iranian opposition supporters around the world. He also told how passers-by then seized an armed Basij militia volunteer who appeared to admit shooting Ms Soltan. Dr Hejazi s...

Update: Video Interview With Dr. Arash Hejazi Who Aided Neda As She Died Ebadi said that Iran's constitution allows people to protest peacefully without permission [EPA] Iran's Neda killing 'was illegal' from Al Jazeera (Again I have copied the entire article due to the incredible constraints and censorship put on the people of Iran by Ahmadinejad's government) Shirin Ebadi, a prominent Iranian human rights lawyer and Nobel peace prize winner, has told Al Jazeera that she is prepared to represent the family of a young woman shot dead during a protest in Tehran. The woman, named as Neda Agha Soltan on social-networking websites, has become a symbol for people protesting against the disputed re-election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Iranian president. Ebadi told Al Jazeera on Wednesday: "I am personally prepared to legally represent her family against the people who ordered the shooting and those who fired at her. "This act was against the law. "Neda had ...

Update: Video Interview With Dr. Arash Hejazi Who Aided Neda As She Died The home of Neda Agha Soltan in Tehran, Iran Below is an article from The Guardian giving details on how Ahmadinejad's Government has forced Neda Agha Soltan's family from their home in Tehran. I am posting the article in full because of the heavy censorship in place in Iran. The world must bear witness to the injustice taking place now: Neda Soltan's family forced out of home' by Iranian authorities Parents of young woman shot dead near protests are banned from mourning and funeral is cancelled, neighbours say A correspondent in Tehran guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 24 June 2009 18.00 BST The Iranian authorities have ordered the family of Neda Agha Soltan out of their Tehran home after shocking images of her death were circulated around the world. Neighbours said that her family no longer lives in the four-floor apartment building on Meshkini Street, in eastern Tehran, having been forced to move since...

Allah - you are the creator of all and all must return to you - Allah Akbar - #Iranelection Sea of Green thank you ppls 4 supporting Sea of Green - pls remember always our martyrs - Allah Akbar - Allah Akbar - Allah Akbar #Iranelection we must go - dont know when we can get internet - they take 1 of us, they will torture and get names - now we must move fast - #Iranelection22 minutes ago from web Everybody is under arrest & cant move - Mousavi - Karroubi even rumour Khatami is in house guard - #Iranelection - they pull away the dead into trucks - like factory - no human can do this - we beg Allah for save us - #Iranelection Lalezar Sq is same as Baharestan - unbelevable - ppls murdered everywhere - #Iranelection they catch ppl with mobile - so many killed today - so many injured - Allah Akbar - they take one of us - #Iranelection they catch ppl with mobile - so many killed today - so many injured - Allah Akbar - they take one of us - #Iranelection in Baharestan we saw militia with ...

Update: Video Interview With Dr. Arash Hejazi Who Aided Neda As She Died Below is the story of the writer Paulo Coelho's dear friend who tends to Neda Agha Soltan's last moments. I post this in full from Paulo's site to help refute the lies coming from the hardliners in Iran. Please read for yourself this narrative told through emails between Paulo and the doctor: The Doctor Published by Paulo Coelho on June 24, 2009 Iran 2000, Brazilian Writer Paulo Coelho with Iranian Doctor and Translator Arash Hejazi (Late Sunday I watch Neda’s video. I suspect that I recognize Arash Hejazi, but I prefer not to believe in what I am seeing. I send him and email) Sunday 21 23:011 Dear Arash I need to know where you stand, if things that I am seeing/reading are true. Then I can myself take a position - depending on your advice, of course. love Paulo Date: Mon, 22 Jun 2009 02:05:05 -04:00 Subject: your country Dearest Paulo, I am now in Tehran. The video of Neda’s murder was taken by my fr...

The Call - ندا -Neda , originally uploaded by greggchadwick . Gregg Chadwick The Call - ندا -Neda 36"x48" oil on linen 2009

Update: The Full Story of Neda's Doctor and Paulo Coelho Update: Video Interview With Dr. Arash Hejazi Who Aided Neda As She Died The Brazilian writer Paulo Coelho, well known for his fable "The Alchemist", writes on his blog about the doctor who cared for Neda as she died in Tehran on Saturday: "My best friend in Iran, a doctor who showed me its beautiful culture when I visited Teheran in 2000, who fought a war in the name of the Islamic Republic (against Iraq), who took care of wounded soldiers in the frontline, who always stood by real human values, is seen here trying to resuscitate Neda - hit in her heart." -Paulo Coelho Neda Agha Soltan Coelho often writes of angels. Neda is being called "an angel of freedom." Below is a passage on angels from Paulo Coelho's site: When angels talk Nobody is courageous all the time. The unknown is a constant challenge, and being afraid is part of the journey. What to do? Talk to yourself. Talk alone. Talk to y...

U2 Sunday Bloody Sunday from the Self Aid benefit concert held in Dublin on 17 May 1986 For my dad and brother - Thinking of you on Father's Day.

New Video from today in Iran - Sunday, June 21, 2009

"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win. " -Gandhi

An amazing piece of work from Jeff Clark. More of Jeff's work at: Neoformix

Today in Tehran. The Guardian has a source on the ground who estimates that today's silent protest has a drawn a crowd of up to a million people. Much more at: A Day of Mourning

LAPD officers take photos of the Lakers players along Figueroa Street. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) Amid the post-parade crowd, I saw Rick Steves tonight in LA - he spoke at length about the political importance of travel and his new PBS program on travel in Iran. Bravo.

From a source in Iran: "Today again we were hundreds of thousands of Sea of Green, chanting 'my brother - my martyr - I will claim your vote for you!'" Iran / today / Krimkhan St / protest NOW #iranelection RT from Iran:today's demonstration was a real victory & fortunately there were no basij/Sepah HQ in the way & nothing bad happened Iran / today / Krimkhan bridge / protest NOW #iranelection Confirmed - Iranian National Football Team show support for Mousavi - sea of green #Iranelection