Alright ya’ll. I’m having a hard time gauging just how many of you are really keyed in to what is happening in Iran right now, but trust me when I say it is insaneness over there right now.
More importantly, the outcome of Iran’s 2009 election and subsequent uprising will be a defining moment in history. We all need to be paying attention and calling on our media outlets to give us as much information as they can.
Right now my information is coming from blogger Nico Pitney for the HuffPo. This cat, and a few of his colleagues are blogging practically around the clock and have become a central hub of information directly from Iranians and their supporters around the world. If you want to know what happened in Iran today, go to the HuffPo, you can’t miss the blog.
Yesterday, through the shock of MJ’s death, I recorder a radio segment for GhettoGEEK radio. Don’t know when it is going to air yet, but as soon as I do, I’ll pass that information along. I urge you to listen and above all, stay engaged in what the Iranian people are going through.
Check out this timeline of events:
Key events in Iran which has been rocked by deadly protests since the June 12 presidential election
- Friday, June 12:
Over 46 million eligible voters choose between four candidates, with incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and ex-premier Mir Hossein Mousavi the favourites.
Mousavi says he has won.
- Saturday, June 13:
Interior ministry says Ahmadinejad wins with almost 63 percent, against 34 percent for Mousavi on turnout of 85 percent.
Mousavi complains of “irregularities”
Mousavi supporters clash with police in Tehran.
- Sunday, June 14:
Ahmadinejad addresses Tehran victory rally.
- Monday, June 15:
Mousavi appears at massive opposition demonstration, crowds estimated at hundreds of thousands.
- Tuesday, June 16:
At least seven people killed in Monday violence: state radio.
Iran imposes restrictions on foreign media, preventing them from covering unauthorised demonstrations.
- Wednesday, June 17
Tens of thousands of Mousavi supporters march in Tehran.
- Thursday, June 18
Defeated candidates cite 646 election violations
- Friday, June 19
Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei backs Ahmadinejad victory, warns of bloodshed if protests don’t stop.
- Saturday, June 20
Guardians Council offers to recount up to 10 percent of ballot boxes.
Police fire tear gas, water cannon on Tehran protesters.
Shrine of revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini attacked. Suicide bomber killed, three wounded: state media.
- Sunday, June 21
Ten killed, over 100 wounded in clashes Saturday: state television.
Ahmadinejad accuses Washington, London of “interference”.
BBC correspondent ordered to leave Iran.
Mousavi urges supporters to continue demos.
- Monday, June 22
At least 457 people arrested Saturday: state radio.
Guardians Council admits vote discrepancies in 50 districts.
Britain withdraws families of Tehran embassy staff.
Tehran protesters defy warning by elite Revolutionary Guards and take to streets. Riot police break up demo with tear gas, arrest 50-60: witnesses.
- Tuesday, June 23
Guardians Council rules out vote annulment.
Khamenei extends by five days a Wednesday deadline to examine vote complaints.
Iran and Britain expel diplomats in tit-for-tat move as Khamenei brands Britain “most evil” of Iran’s enemies.
US President Barack Obama says US “outraged” by crackdown on protesters.
- Wednesday, June 24
Khamenei says regime will not back down on results.
Interior Minister Sadeq Mahsouli says rioters funded by the CIA and exiled opposition group People’s Mujahedeen of Iran.
Defeated conservative candidate Mohsen Rezai withdraws complaint about results.
Authorities arrest 25 staff at Mousavi’s newspaper: colleague.
Riot police and volunteer militia deter protesters from gathering near parliament in Tehran: witnesses.
