Civil Disobedience

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Ayatollah Ali Khameneni's speech this morning was disappointing, but not a surprise. Claiming a "definitive victory" is hard to believe given the 30 million+ votes that were hand counted in a few days time. It's also difficult to believe that the opposition candidates, and Mousavi in particular, received fewer votes in their respective districts than Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. That information, coupled with the huge turnout of protestors, implies something is amiss.

I assumed Khameneni's objective was to calm the masses, persuade them to accept the validity of Ahmadinejad's presidency and continue with the daily tasks of a spiritual leader. His efforts proved fruitless when the protestors grew in number after he proposed a partial recount. When protestors were killed at Tehran University, the voices of change spoke even louder. And now, as he threatens the protestorswith a crackdown, one can only wonder what this effect will have.

Ayatollah Khameneni, the President and others representing the status quo in Iran, need to know that civil disobedience prevails. The people are asking for what Henry David Thoreau wrote about so long ago, not to abolish government, but to improve it. Improvement begins by accepting the will of the people.

As we wait to see what happens in the coming days, I'll show my support for Mousavi by wearing green as well.