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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2009
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Iranian Police Clash With Protesters

Tear gas, beatings mark 30th anniversary of US Embassy takeover

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(AP) – Iranian security forces beat anti-government protesters with batons and fired tear gas today on the sidelines of state-sanctioned rallies in Tehran to mark the 30th anniversary of the US Embassy takeover. While pro-government demonstrators chanted "death to America" outside the former embassy, opposition marchers nearby cried "death to the dictator." Security forces swept through several hundred demonstrators in the city center, clubbing, kicking, and slapping protesters.

The counter-demonstrations were the opposition's first major show of force since mid-September. Many marchers wore green scarves or wristbands in support of opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi, who claims President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stole the June election from him through fraud. Authorities appeared determined to avoid opposition rallies overshadowing the anniversary of the embassy takeover, and warned protesters days in advance against attempts to disrupt the annual gathering.

This photo, taken by an individual not employed by the Associated Press and obtained by the AP outside Iran shows anti-government protesters in Tehran, Nov. 4, 2009.
This photo, taken by an individual not employed by the Associated Press and obtained by the AP outside Iran shows anti-government protesters in Tehran, Nov. 4, 2009.   (AP Photo)
Iranian school students prepare to burn a US flag in front of the former US Embassy in Tehran, Nov. 4, 2009, in a ceremony commemorating the 30th anniversary of the seizure of the US Embassy.
Iranian school students prepare to burn a US flag in front of the former US Embassy in Tehran, Nov. 4, 2009, in a ceremony commemorating the 30th anniversary of the seizure of the US Embassy.   (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
Iranian school students burn a US flag in front of the former US Embassy in Tehran, Nov. 4, 2009, in a ceremony commemorating the 30th anniversary of the seizure of the US Embassy on Nov. 4, 1979.
Iranian school students burn a US flag in front of the former US Embassy in Tehran, Nov. 4, 2009, in a ceremony commemorating the 30th anniversary of the seizure of the US Embassy on Nov. 4, 1979.   (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
This photo, taken by an individual not employed by the Associated Press and obtained by the AP outside Iran shows anti-government protesters in Tehran, Iran, Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009.
This photo, taken by an individual not employed by the Associated Press and obtained by the AP outside Iran shows anti-government protesters in Tehran, Iran, Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009.   (AP Photo)
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5 comments
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njgreen
Nov 4, 09 7:34 AM CST
What a difference 30 years can make. The same youthful energy that fueled the revolution has now turned against it. This awful regime's days are numbered - unless, of course, America or Israel attacks Iran. Then the tyrants can use nationalism and war as an excuse to stay in power, the students will have no choice but to unite around them, and we'll be stuck with the ayatollahs for another 30 years. Current signs are encouraging. It may take a few more years, but we need to stand back and let this take its course. Reply
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tomodachi
Nov 4, 09 9:09 AM CST
The average age in Iran is less than 30 years old. They don't like the clerics telling them they can't have open access to the world... and they're still justifiably bitter over their recent fake elections. IMO: It's only a matter of time before they overthrow their government.
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Middleman
Nov 4, 09 7:53 AM CST
Or maybe the attacks from America and Israel have already begun... Reply
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tomodachi
Nov 4, 09 8:27 AM CST
Mind boggling... that we derive any of our energy needs... from a nation where people publicly shout: "Death to Americans." Every dime we gave Chrysler should have instead been invested in US companies making electric cars. Reply
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+2
riffran
Nov 4, 09 9:33 AM CST
I am shocked that the headline didn't read "300 dead as protester clash with machine gun toting police".... Reply
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