Iran Protests Against U.S. and Regime on Hostage Anniversary

Nov. 4, 2009— -- Iranian protesters took to the streets today as they do every Nov. 4 to mark the 30th anniversary of the U.S. embassy takeover.

But this year, opponents of the Iranian regime used the government sanctioned day of street demonstrations to challenge the hard line administration.

While supporters of the regime led chants of "death to America," crowds nearby shouted "death to the dictator," a veiled reference to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his political ally, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

State security forces had issued a warning against opposition protests, and broke up the crowds using batons, tear gas, and gunfire.

The International Campaign for Human Rights cited thousands of protesters collecting in Tehran, Tabriz, Shiraz and other major cities before clashes with security forces. Opposition leader and former presidential candidate Mehdi Karroubi was reportedly injured, struck by a tear gas canister.

"We probably were one tenth of what we were in Qods Day, but they had many time more of their thugs in uniform out there, with lot of preparation," said one protester, referring to riot police and the state-sponsored rally last month that were also used as an opposition stage. "The government was clearly scared."

The opposition had organized and publicized its rallies for weeks using graffiti, digital posters distributed online, and messages written in green on paper money.

The two sides, the regime and the opposition "Green Movement," have reoriented Iran and its politics since this summer's disputed presidential election. It has produced a tangled political scenario.

The regime has focused on enforcing order at home and negotiating with the West over its nuclear program. While the conservative regime engages in talks with the U.S. and its allies, hardliners continue to blame the West for encouraging opposition protests.

Opposition supporters, meanwhile, are trying to discourage Washington from negotiating with Tehran.Some protesters today chanted, "Obama, Obama, you're with them or you're with us," a rhyming verse in Persian expressing frustration at U.S. open engagement with Ahmadinejad's government.

"People are asking him to be clear. They don't want to see him in talks with the regime. They want to make it easier for people to get a visa, do something that could help people have better lives," said one protester.