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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2009
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7

Ahmadinejad: Protests Like a 'Soccer Match'

Students fear violence will soon escalate

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(Newser) – As rioters clogged the streets of Tehran for a second day burning police motorcycles and setting trash cans ablaze, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad compared them to disaffected sports fans, CNN reports. “Some people are sentimental and become excited," the Iranian president said. “I compared it to a soccer match. Their team has not won. I don't think we’ll have any serious challenges.”

Students beg to differ: A CNN producer said police have the situation under control, but youth are insisting, “This is not going away. They may stop us now but we will come back and make sure our voices will be heard.’” Others fear street violence will escalate when Ahmadinejad’s supporters begin celebrating. “We’re all worried about that,” said one man.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, gestures, during a news conference, in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, June 14, 2009.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, gestures, during a news conference, in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, June 14, 2009.   (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)
A bus is set on fire by protesters after Iranian presidential election results were declared in Tehran, Saturday, June 13, 2009.
A bus is set on fire by protesters after Iranian presidential election results were declared in Tehran, Saturday, June 13, 2009.   (AP Photo)
Supporters of reformist candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi gather on the streets protesting the results of the Iranian presidential election.
Supporters of reformist candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi gather on the streets protesting the results of the Iranian presidential election.   (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)
Supporters of reformist candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi engage in running battles using stones and petrol bombs against police.
Supporters of reformist candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi engage in running battles using stones and petrol bombs against police.   (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)
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NBC's Richard Engel reports on the post-election violence in Iran.   (msnbc)

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I don't think we'll have any serious challenges. Sentiments are high and sometimes they do some stuff on the streets, but in the end we had 40 million people participating.
- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

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7 comments
VIEWING:
 
TerrifiedCitizen
Jun 14, 09 10:10 AM CDT
Yeah, we used to protest a lot in this country too; looks like we've given that up and have accepted the inevitable. Reply
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+2
IN RESPONSE:
Netstorm2k9
Jun 14, 09 6:17 PM CDT
No, we just need a catalyzing event in the middle of a massive economic depression to shock the sedentary American populace into aroused anger.
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+2
Derni
Jun 14, 09 10:31 AM CDT
Perhaps they can bring about change like we did with the Vietnam War-seems apathy is the way of the young today. Lets get thiose baby boomers rocking again! Reply
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0
IN RESPONSE:
Netstorm2k9
Jun 14, 09 6:19 PM CDT
What the hell change did the Vietnam War protesters bring about? All they ever did was spit on draftees returning from the war, relieved at not dying for nothing. The peace movement sputtered out in 1970, and the war continued for 4 more years.
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Doctor_Zaius
Jun 14, 09 11:14 AM CDT
Maybe they need to read their own history, didn't they (Iran) take over the government by massive student protests? Reply
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+1

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