Detailing the Movement for Democracy in Iran

At 8:00 am Iranian media announced that 18 million votes when to Ahmadinejad and 9 million went to Mousavi. About 250,000 votes each went to the other two candidates, Mehdi Karroubi and Mohsen Rezai.



Protestors against the success of Ahmadinejad and those celebrating that victory poured into the streets. Intense demonstrations brought the Iranian police who used batons and tear gas to stop the clash that followed. Demonstrators declared Ahmadinejad stole the election. It was reported that at least one person had been shot in Vanak Square in Tehran and automobiles were overturned and burned in the street.



Mousavi stated that he rejected the election results and encouraged supports to fight them but he also urged them to be calm and patient. He did not appear the rest of the day and many thought he may have been arrested. Ayatollah Khamenei did not give heed to pleas for intervention or appeals. He just congratulated Ahmadinejad and asked the other candidates to give him their support.



More demonstrators took to the streets of Tehran during the afternoon. Women, youth, students and members of the moderate clerical establishment took to the streets in the thousands chanting and wearing the bright green campaign colors of Mousavi. Tehran wasn’t the only city seeing this kind of unrest. Because of the activities universities were closed, cell phone transmissions remained blocked and many websites were shut down for a second day.

Slater Bakhtavar, an Iran native, is a published journalist, policy analyst, and practicing attorney. His interest in politics has enabled him to contribute his knowledge to several journals, magazines, and nationally syndicated talk shows. Additionally, Slater is actively involved in analyzing foreign policy for various organizations.

Slater has earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Kennesaw State University, a Juris Doctorate Degree from South Texas College of Law, and a LL.M in International Law from Loyola Law School. In addition, Slater Bakhtavar received a certificate in alternative dispute resolution from the University of Georgia Law Center