report
June 20, 2009
Mousavi: Continue Your Protests
Saeed Mahmoudian
"I am the brother of a martyr, I will take back your vote," said a sign carried by men and women on Thursday evening, June 18, at the Tupkhaneh Square rally.

Thursday's rally was held to commemorate the martyrs who have lost their lives during the past five days across Iran. Mir-Hossein Mousavi and his wife, Zahra Rahnavard, participated in the rally. Mousavi spoke to the public using a loudspeaker and called for the continuation of people's protests until election results are annulled.
The protesters belonged to all segments of society and had gathered to condemn the government's harsh and violent treatment of people and especially the students. Several students are among the dead.
Thursday's protesters were again silent and refrained from chanting. The protesters, who had used various means of transportation to gather at the Tupkhaneh Square, began their gathering at about 4 pm.
The gathering was held in front of the Ministry of Communication's large building, which housed dozens of large satellite dishes. The protesters held up their cell phones, which were not completely disconnected, to the building and shook them in protest. Workers at the ministry were watching the people and, according to one of the protestors, it was not clear what they were saying. However, even from far away, it could be seen that they were showing their disconnected cell phones to the protestors as well.
Mousavi: I Stay to the End
At about 6 pm, Mir-Hossein Mousavi and his wife, Zahra Rahnavard, arrived at the rally. He quickly climbed atop a car and delivered a speech using a loudspeaker. His speech was short and each sentence was disrupted by the people's loud roars of support.
Mousavi said, "We neither intend to agitate or disrupt nor are we disrupters. We only want our rights. We want our votes. We want to know the true result of the election."
He added, "The people absolutely are not seeking chaos. Those people who have drenched our children in blood are not from the people. I salute all those who have lost their lives for their nation."
Mir-Hossein Mousavi added, "I urge you to continue your protests and gatherings. Do not back down under any condition. But refrain from chanting provocative slogans and engaging in acts that put the public's safety in jeopardy."
After his short speech, Mousavi thanked everyone, concluding, "I will not retreat from the path I have embarked on under any condition."
Mir-Hossein Mousavi then left the Tupkhaneh Square among the people's deafening roars of support. A group of his supporters then urged the people to disperse and leave the area before dark, when especial riot police and Basiji vigilantes from the Malek Ashtar brigade begin trapping small pockets of people.
Meanwhile, the Imam subway station kept its entrance and exit doors shut, not allowing anyone to enter or exit the station.