Hardy

Yesterday evening, after a long time of fighting against his cancer, my uncle Hans Kosanke finally had to give up. Twice he defeated him, but now his body didn’t had the power to do so again, he couldn’t fight anymore.It was like a release for him.

The worst about death is not the fact, that he takes a beloved one away from us, but rather that he leaves us alone with our memories.

At this evening twenty years ago I was just starting my shift at the MCC in the USMP-Station, when the phone was ringing and Marie told me that the Berlin Wall is down. First I thought that she made a joke, than I asked her if she is tipsy. She only told me that I should switch on my TV. And speechless I saw the reporters with their live coverage from Checkpoint Bornholmer Strasse at the wall.

This day not only changed Germany, it changed the whole world. For twentyeight years the east germans where prisenors in their own country. Only allowed to travel into east-block countrys. No free speech. If they tried to escape they risked their lifes. Over 160 people got killed at the wall.

Finally the iron-curtain was down, and the east-German citizens were free like we in the west.

One year later there was Germany’s reunification.

Many anniversary events are on today, and not only here in Berlin. Celebrations about it are all around the world.

I only can hope, that the Iranian people will be free one day too.

Well, it seems that the damn dictator didn’t find a place to sleep in NY. All hotels are saying: No Vacancy !

I love that!

Mehdi Karroubi didn’t got apprehended that day- probably the hardliners know what could happen than.

But if they think that the fight is over now and we gave up- never!!! Marg bar diktator!

Will Mehdi Karroubi get apprehended today?

He said many true thinks about the regime, and people like Amadinejad don’t likes that the truth is spelled out. Especially not to journalists. You just have take a short look what the Washington Post writes:

The white-turbaned Shiite cleric, who has held several senior government positions since the 1979 Islamic revolution, said in an interview Tuesday that President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, along with the clerics and Revolutionary Guard commanders who support him, will be defeated by what he describes as a burgeoning movement of ordinary people, ayatollahs and lawmakers.

“In the streets, in the bazaars, at weddings and in mosques, everywhere you can hear people complaining about what has happened” since Ahmadinejad’s disputed reelection June 12, Karroubi said. “This belief is growing at an extraordinary pace. Yes, people might be more cautious, since the situation in our country is dangerous, but their thoughts, their ideas have not changed.” 

And about the trials he said:

“The court has a special purpose. It is organized by the winners of the vote, and only their opponents have been put on trial,” the 72-year-old cleric said. “But people will never believe these wide-ranging accusations of murders, bombings and espionage against more than 100 suspects.”

We will see, many of my friends are quite nervous, and if that really should happen, it will give a spontaneous Demonstration this eve. In Berlin we will meet at the Breitscheidplatz about 60-90 minutes after we got the apprehension message.

Sources: Melanie Ni Ra, Iran-Aktuell and The Washington Post

Bay Area TV spot for upcoming worldwide rally on July 25th. Every major city in the US and Europe will most likely have a rally to support Iran.

On Saturday July 25, people around the world have the opportunity to support the people of Iran in their struggle for democracy, freedom and basic human rights by attending rallies in dozens of cities around the world.

Why a global day of action?

On June 12th, Iranians participated in a presidential election marred by accusations of widespread fraud and voting irregularities. In the days that followed, hundreds of thousands of Iranians took to the streets to protest the official election results. The Iranian government’s brutal response to these protests has left at least 17 people dead, hundreds more badly injured, and still hundreds more arrested and at high risk of torture and execution. These acts are a direct assault on the Iranian people’s human and civil rights – and those of everyone who supports these ideals around the world.

Since the contested elections on June 12th, hundreds of thousands of people have participated in hundreds of demonstrations in at least 40 major cities in 15 countries. However, no globally coordinated event has yet been organized. On July 25 people around the world can support the people of Iran in their struggle for democracy, freedom and basic civil rights.

Why July 25?

The inauguration of Ahmadinejad will take place sometime between July 26th and August 19th, and there is a likelihood of civil action in Iran near that date.

What do we believe in?

We agree with the following values and visions:

“If one country sincerely wants to support democracy in another country that is under dictatorial rule, the only thing to do is to support the freedom fighters who stand for the democratic institutions of that country. Done this way, the sapling of democracy will bear the flower of freedom.” – Shirin Ebadi, Iranian human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner

“The Campaign is founded on these principles: that human rights in Iran, and in every country, are a matter of legitimate international concern and essential to establishing international peace and security; that human rights in Iran can only be implemented with the assistance of civil society, whose role must be protected and sustained; that human rights compliance in Iran should be approached from a non-partisan perspective, and detached from political objectives; and that solidarity with any and all peoples prevented from enjoying their human rights is a moral imperative of our time.” –International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran

We do not have any political agenda; our only aim is to support the people of Iran in their struggle for democracy, freedom and basic civil rights.

What’s the status?

Rallies are currently scheduled in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, San Diego, Orange, County, London, Zurich, Frankfurt, Stockholm and Berlin. Current event sponsors include:
- League for Defense of Human Rights in Iran (LDDHI)
- International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran
- Amnesty International USA
- Omid
What can you do?

Spread the word. Follow us on twitter and Facebook. Attend or organize a rally in your city. Write to your newspaper. Call your elected officials and ask them to stand out. E-mail: united4iran@gmail.com to volunteer.

Sources and Updates: United4Iran  and Demo Berlin

Since a while I’m thinking, that the mullahs and Ahmadinejad aren’t able to stop the peaceful revolution which is going on in Iran. But since I read these eyewitness account from today at NIAC, I’m absolutely sure.

A very unusual event occurred before Rafsanjani’s speech, when the head of the organization that oversees the Friday prayers (Taqavi) spoke.  In Friday prayers, people are supposed to repeat what the speakers chant.  Today, it was different. 
When Taqavi said “Death to America,” people responded “Death to Russia” or “Death to China” instead. Also, when he said “The blood in our veins, is a gift to our leader,” people said “The blood in our veins, is a gift to our nation.” According to our witness, “whenever Taqavi mentioned the name of the Supreme Leader, people would whistle and boo.”

And when you take a look at the YouTube videos from the demonstrations today(many of them you can see at “The Daily Dish”), you will believe so too.

This is a song from for the brave people of Iran. The world can see the strong will of them to get their Freedom. Freedom of press; Freedom of religion; Freedom of choice, Personal Freedom. Only Ahmadinejad and the Mullahs don’t want to give it to them.
My prayers go out to the lost souls and the many brave women and men asking for Freedom.
Never give up, the whole world is with you!

Please send this video to everyone you know and leave a note of encouragement to help the people of Iran.