Iran

Not too long ago I helped out on a film called Iran (is not the problem), which provides historical context on U.S. relations with Iran. I recently got back together with a few colleagues from the film and we put together a set of Talking Points on Iran. Take a look: http://www.iranisnottheproblem.org/talking_points

If you are interested in endorsing it, please sign the petition here: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/iranprotests/

TALKING POINTS (created 7/1/09):
What you should know about the Iranian protests and how you can help

As of this weekend, it seems the protests in the Islamic Republic of Iran have died down a bit… for now. The opposition candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi, who for the past week has essentially been under house arrest, has agreed to seek the government’s permission before holding any further demonstrations and is no longer able to use his official web site as its functionality has been compromised. While these developments may be disappointing to many, they should not be read as the failure of this mass movement or its end. Such impatient and rash determinations by some analysts in the U.S. and Europe reveal a lack of faith in the very systems and values they claim to support. Have we forgotten that the Civil Right movement in the United States took more than a decade before we even began to see real changes? -- changes that are still in-progress today.

The Metta Center for Nonviolence Education, of which I am the founder, released the following statement today:

An Open Letter to Sisters and Brothers in Iran

Dear Friends,

We are a group of professors and students who work with nonviolent movements (see our site at www.mettacenter.org) and we would like to extend to you our solidarity and encouragement for your struggle.  Based on our experience, we would share the following thoughts with you at this critical juncture:

Your cause is just.  Despite the blackout, people all over the world are following your struggle and our hearts are with you.  To have a just cause and courage are the two main requirements for a nonviolent movement, and you have both.

June 24, 2009

FOR press contact: Ethan Vesely-Flad, Communications Director, 510-701-5267 (c)

To the Iranian Leadership: End the Violence Immediately

Below is the final text of the speech I ended up giving at City Hall
this afternoon, drawing from some of the pieces many of you have
already read. Here is a link to the outcome:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/cityinsider/detail?entry_id=42240&tsp=1

"Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a resolution -- authored by
Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, whose father is Persian -- supporting the
people in Iran who are fighting for their democratic rights and calling
on the government create "an accountable election process." In a rare
show of unity, the entire 11-member body co-sponsored the measure
(which even included a swipe at domestic leaders, with one portion

(this was written on Sunay 6-21 but not posted to this blog until later)

When I visited Iran in December 2008, I was welcomed by a one-of-a-kind hospitality and warmness — no axis of evil, no hatred against Western countries. The Iranian people approached me with an open attitude, being very interested in what I thought of Iran. They urged me to share my positive impressions of Iran with other people, in order to change the somewhat negative impression that many people had of Iran.

The people of Iran sing from their rooftops at night.

During the day, I have heard, they march millions in silence, the tapping of footsteps passing by. They smile despite the murder of their brothers and sisters who walked alongside them yesterday. They smile because now they walk together; now they walk empowered; now they walk with hope in their hearts.

I have been caught in the cyber-webs for days now, like my uncle Willie Brown with his metal detector in a junkyard, I go searching for anything that can tell me anything about anything that is happening in Iran today... and there is so much to sift through. I look for the faces of my cousins, my aunts, my uncles in the crowds. With fear in my heart I search every page for anything that can get me closer.

During the past few days, the world has witnessed massive demonstrations by Iranians in response to the June 12 national election in Iran. Hundreds of thousands of people have poured into the streets of Tehran and other major cities to express their feelings about the election results.

While, for the most part, these demonstrations have been peaceful, there are reports of shootings and beatings that have resulted in dozens of injuries and deaths. According to official reports, at least 10 people are dead and more than 100 have been injured.

I am currently in Iran, traveling with peace activists from Peace Action and Veterans for Peace. Rebecca Griffin of Peace Action West has written several interesting reflections about our trip thus far which she's posted to their blog, and are well worth reading. And with the increased tensions that emerged this week between the U.S. and Iran due to the Iranian missile test, I would like to take this opportunity to launch a new, hopeful U.S.-Iran peace initiative on behalf of the Fellowship of Reconciliation.