If you've been following the news over the weekend in Iran surely you've heard the name "Neda". Neda means "the call" or "the voice" in Farsi but Neda was also a young woman emerging as a martyr and rallying symbol for Iranians opposed to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Neda has become the rallying cry for thousands of Iranians both in the country and expatriates thanks to a 30 second video posted on You Tube and still images that spread across the Internet like wildfire.
According to Iranian bloggers, Neda was a young woman peacefully protesting Iran's election results with her father when she was gunned down and killed by pro-government militia. The video is extremely graphic and shows a woman's last moments on earth as blood streams across her face. The images were shot by what looks like a bystander's camera phone and quickly spread across You Tube, facebook and Twitter- the only truly free methods of communication left to Iranians after the government-controlled media was forbidden from reporting on the protests except tothe editorial controls of Ahmadinejad's government.
The video is highly disturbing and graphic and can be seen here.
This election protest is quickly gathering all the elements it needs to turn Iran's social structure into a full-on revolt. A disenfranchised overwhelmingly larget 35 year old and under populace? Check. A young, beautiful innocent protestor cut down on camera to turn into a martyr? Check. A seemingly out of touch ruling body of religious extremists bent on suppressing its people even to the extent of blindly losing power themselves? Check.
Reports have surfaced that until last week Iran's rulers didn't even know what facebook , Twitter and You Tube was. Supposedly they believed by shutting down their government-controlled media they were effectively squelching all information flow to the outside world. Instead the social media tools have provided a virtual blow-by-blow of exactly what is happening in Iran, better than the media ever could. Suggestions are posted from people all over the world on how to do everything from remedy the burn from tear gas attacks to create masks that will prevent tear gas from reaching the eyes.
Just last night I got a request to change my time zone on my Twitter account to Tehran time in a show of support for the protestors. I did. It will be very interesting to see how Iran's leaders will react once they fully grasp how closely the world is watching them.
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