Clinton Hails Protesters as Iran Erupts

Time for a change in 'hypocritical regime,' says Hillary
By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 15, 2011 2:01 AM CST
Updated Feb 15, 2011 7:00 AM CST
Clinton Hails Protesters as Iran Erupts
We "clearly and directly support the protesters," Hillary Clinton said yesterday.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Fanning the embers of discontent, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton enthusiastically praised protesters who clashed violently yesterday with Iranian security forces. The raucous protests are "a testament to the courage of the Iranian people, and an indictment of the hypocrisy of the Iranian regime—a regime which has constantly hailed what went on in Egypt," Clinton said yesterday. "There needs to be a commitment to open up the political system in Iran, to hear the voices of the opposition." Police cracked down on protesters yesterday as thousands took to the streets in solidarity with uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt, chanting "death to dictators."

At least one person was shot dead and several injured in Tehran, reports the BBC. Violence is continuing today and a second protester was killed as activists attended the funeral of the dead demonstrator, reports the New York Times. The US "very clearly and directly" supports the protesters, said Clinton. "We are against violence and we would call to account the Iranian government that is once again using its security forces and resorting to violence to prevent the free expression of ideas from their own people," she added. For more on the protests, check out the last Newser story.
(More Iran stories.)

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