IRAN: Protesters advised to carry roses as weapons
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Keep quiet under all circumstances, the circular advises those planning to march in Thursday’s unauthorized demonstrations in Iran cities.
‘The heaviest weapon to carry is one rose in the hand,’ it says.
As Iranians prepare for what could be another violent day of confrontations Thursday between demonstrators and security forces, including pro-government plainclothes Basiji militias, supporters of opposition candidate Mir-Hossein Mousavi have distributed instructions to try to keep any anticipated violence to a minimum.
One video making its way around the Internet shows demonstrators how to make devices to disable the motorcycles used by truncheon-wielding Basiji and Ansar-e-Hezbollah militiamen.
The marches, which are taking place amid continued political discord over the June 12 election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, are meant to mark the 10-year anniversary of the storming of Tehran University dormitories by pro-government militias and subsequent weeks of unrest.
The circular urges marchers to avoid wearing the green that has become the official color of the Mousavi campaign or ‘flashy make-up’ in order to demonstrate the marchers’ serious intent.
It suggests demonstrators leave cellphones and jewelry at home and carry only an identification card and relatives’ phone numbers.
If protesters decide it’s too risky to take part in the rally, the circular advises them to walk or drive around in their own neighborhoods, flashing the ‘victory’ sign with their fingers.
‘Bear in mind the most important point is to walk to the destination and not follow the exact path,’ the message advises. ‘Wherever you see the anti-riot police or militia ... hindering you ... change your path ... the goal is to keep on going.’
Photo: A protester shows a victory sign and white rose as people protest in front of the Iranian Embassy in Brussels on June 20. Credit: Yves Logghe / Associated Press