Death to America, Death to England, Death to Israel
Another day, another demo. Yesterday was 22 Bahman, "the tenth day of dawn", 28th anniversary of the revolution and a rallying cry for regime loyalists in the face of increasing US hostility. It certainly seemed larger than last year, perhaps a reflection of the creeping concern about the threat of sanctions - or even war.
Iranians sometimes seem puzzled that the slogan "Death to America!" and similar ones are taken seriously by people in the West. "It's just a circus" said a friend last night. When you talk to the people who chant it, few of them (but definitely not all) seem overwhelmed by a burning hatred. This is not to say that they like the American government, but lots of these 'revolutionaries' seem almost put out if you suggest that their words would deeply offend many Americans.
Marzieh Naddaf, an idealistic, but perhaps rather naive, architecture student, insisted the slogan didn't mean Iranians were completely against the American people. "The message of our revolution is peace, humanity and trying to get a divine goal," she said. But she said every policy of America was against Iran and this made Iranians angry. Her words were echoed by Hamid, a 19-year-old student who said Iran and the US could have a "good connection" through conversation.
A few slogans and placards spotted yesterday: "George = donkey" on a picture of an ass drawn by a little boy; "The events of Ashura were the roots of the Islamic revolution", a speaker; “Onwards at the command of the leader, we’re all your soldiers Khamenei, we await your orders Khamenei, oh freedom loving leader, we’re ready” a group of women in chadors, fists raised. Effigies of George Bush, Condoleezza Rice and Tony Blair were brandished - and in some cases burnt (see above).
Away from these demonstrations, it's rare to meet people who harbour a grudge against the US or Americans themselves (unlike the wicked British). But even among the revolutionary hardcore, the relationship is more complex than you might expect. Fatimeh Marambegi, a housewife, repeated the more extremist slogans about the West and then asked which British universities would better suit her daughter. Her brother lives in the US with an American wife and has a greencard.
Occasionally an Iranian says to me "You know, I'd be really, really pleased if the Americans did come and get rid of this regime." That sort of comment certainly doesn't seem to reflect a widespread attitude either, and you wonder whether the people who say such things would really feel the same way once the bombs started to fall. I think we would be more likely to hear "Death to America" chanted in earnest.
Iranians sometimes seem puzzled that the slogan "Death to America!" and similar ones are taken seriously by people in the West. "It's just a circus" said a friend last night. When you talk to the people who chant it, few of them (but definitely not all) seem overwhelmed by a burning hatred. This is not to say that they like the American government, but lots of these 'revolutionaries' seem almost put out if you suggest that their words would deeply offend many Americans.
Marzieh Naddaf, an idealistic, but perhaps rather naive, architecture student, insisted the slogan didn't mean Iranians were completely against the American people. "The message of our revolution is peace, humanity and trying to get a divine goal," she said. But she said every policy of America was against Iran and this made Iranians angry. Her words were echoed by Hamid, a 19-year-old student who said Iran and the US could have a "good connection" through conversation.
A few slogans and placards spotted yesterday: "George = donkey" on a picture of an ass drawn by a little boy; "The events of Ashura were the roots of the Islamic revolution", a speaker; “Onwards at the command of the leader, we’re all your soldiers Khamenei, we await your orders Khamenei, oh freedom loving leader, we’re ready” a group of women in chadors, fists raised. Effigies of George Bush, Condoleezza Rice and Tony Blair were brandished - and in some cases burnt (see above).
Away from these demonstrations, it's rare to meet people who harbour a grudge against the US or Americans themselves (unlike the wicked British). But even among the revolutionary hardcore, the relationship is more complex than you might expect. Fatimeh Marambegi, a housewife, repeated the more extremist slogans about the West and then asked which British universities would better suit her daughter. Her brother lives in the US with an American wife and has a greencard.
Occasionally an Iranian says to me "You know, I'd be really, really pleased if the Americans did come and get rid of this regime." That sort of comment certainly doesn't seem to reflect a widespread attitude either, and you wonder whether the people who say such things would really feel the same way once the bombs started to fall. I think we would be more likely to hear "Death to America" chanted in earnest.
