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Iranians Protest Clerical Regime for Third Consecutive Night

Voice of America

VOA News
13 Jun 2003, 13:00 UTC

Anti-government protesters in Tehran have held their third consecutive night of rallies, with some calling for the removal of Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The pre-dawn gatherings Friday, were smaller than those on the first two nights. But hundreds gathered near Tehran University and chanted a slogan calling for Ayatollah Khamenei to be hung. Criticism of Iran's supreme leader is punishable by jail time and public calls for his death have been unheard of until now.

The rally broke up after police reportedly rushed the protesters. Police fired tear gas to disperse other student demonstrators who lit fires on the university campus, which was the scene of violent unrest four years ago.

Thousands of cars converged near the campus, with drivers honking their horns in support. But anti-riot squads blocked roads to keep both motorists and pro-Khamenei vigilantes from getting too close to the campus.

The vigilantes shouted, "Oh exalted leader, we are ready to follow your instructions!" Prevented for the most part from confronting demonstrators, they drove around Tehran on motorbikes, smashing the windows of several cars and insulting those inside.

The city was calm by daybreak.

U.S. officials have welcomed the demonstrations, which began Tuesday night. State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said they draw attention to what he calls the "destructive policies" of Iran's un-elected clerical government. U.S. officials have accused Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons and harboring members of the al-Qaida terrorist network. Iran has denied both charges.

Ayatollah Khamenei has blamed the United States for the protests. In a speech Thursday, the ayatollah said if authorities choose to clamp down on what he called "rioters," they will use tough measures like those used to crush student protests in 1999.

Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.