Exile Call Prompts Iran Protests

[democratic]

September 27, 2004
BBC News
Sadeq Saba

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/3694594.stm

A call from a US-based Iranian TV personality has prompted thousands of Iranians to protest for more freedoms. People took to the streets of the capital, Tehran, and other cities on Sunday after Ahura Pirouz Khaleghi Yazdi urged protests across Iran.

He is advocating peaceful means and civil disobedience.

His simplistic views about overthrowing the Islamic government singlehandedly have also angered serious exile opposition leaders who have labelled him a demagogue.

But analysts say the fact that thousands of people heeded his call and took to the streets on Sunday evening proves that Iranians are desperate for change.

The Yazdi phenomenon also shows how US-based opposition satellite TV stations are becoming an important means of putting pressure on the Iranian government.