The 11th of February sees a national rally at Trafalgar Square in solidarity with the people in the Middle East and North Africa resisting tyrannical regimes [and some of the bastards who’ve come to replace them]. Human rights knows no borders. Unfortunately, neither do the more negative aspects of suddenly finding yourself in a position […]
The height of post-Iranian Election fervour. As thousands of pro-reform demonstrators took to Iran’s streets asking where their votes went, one man went on a solitary journey along Tehran’s avenues pasting and painting hundreds of his own questions. A1one, the street name for a Tehran-based street artist, erected over 400 pieces on the day the […]
Received this video this morning. Not sure about dates, exact locations, times. A rough translation: “it is plastic bullet…he has shot three air shots…they give him info who to shoot…yes..like Palestine…he is shooting to air…oh bastard, bastard….Mohammad get away (from the window) they are shooting…(when the soldiers flee) good for you, good for you…(woman’s voice) […]
The other day I spoke with a former colleague based in Tehran. Someone with a knack for getting stupid foreign journalists out of Iran’s more logistical minefields. She’s had to switch phones regularly to avoid having his mobile connection blocked. It’s the first time I’ve spoken to her since election day. “It’s going to be […]
As the rest of the world is discovering, Iran is a rather modern place. With nearly 70% of the population aged under 35, it would be. Men’s hairstyles may have a tad too much hair gel on the go and women may have a liking for bug-eyed sunglasses, but those are regional crimes of fashion […]
Dissidents. That’s what you want to call them. People who actively challenge an established doctrine, policy, or institution. Iran is a country where there is no clear black or white, good or evil. Like the chadors, hejabs and jilbabs worn by women, you see one thing, but beneath the veil can be the unexpected. On […]
My friend is tired. Having spent the day erecting over 400 street pieces throughout Tehran’s concrete, steel, and rage-lined arteries. Having run away from angry men on motorcycles wielding batons towards angry men wearing green and throwing rocks. The world has been introduced to a new lexicon. The Guardian Council, the Basij, Khomeni, Khameni, Khatami, […]
Sometimes the best presents you receive are the ones that show you people are not alone in fighting for what is right. Weapons of this battle? Feet. Minds. Paint. Words. If you wander through the streets of Tehran, you may encounter some of these images. Look closely. If you wander through the streets of Tehran, […]
Lounging langourously on a Sunday afternoon, I received the following on my BlackBerry. It’s a letter from a friend in Tehran who asks their name and profession not be published. Having subsequently spoken to other friends in Tehran (social networking, SMS, and other tricks of youth have been shut down…unless you know a hack or […]
