Araceli Speaks Out about Occupy Rome Protests Turned Riots

As for the Rome riots this weekend, what can I say. I’m horribly disappointed. I’ll be the first to admit that I didn’t recognize my own city. My heart sank watching the news coverage of the riots. All I could see were groups of masked and hooded thugs destroying the city I call home and have grown to love just as much as my own country. Like any city, Rome has its own problems but nothing justifies what we witnessed this Saturday. Nothing justifies attacks on police, smashing windows, setting vehicles on fire and throwing up barricades. I pray they round up those thugs…and throw away the key!

I took a few pictures on Monday driving into work but nothing compares to the real damage they caused that was closed off for clean up. What happened on Saturday is NOT Rome! It’s the action of a few demonstrators that infiltrated a peaceful protest causing terror and havoc with no clear message. The results surprised us all. Occupy Wall Street...Occupy Rome...Occupy whatever capital city you want, but don’t destroy it!

Iran Outrage Continues

On June 12, 2009, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was re-elected president of Iran causing worldwide protests as Iranians disagreed with the outcome and honesty of the election. Given the country’s sordid history of conflict and suppression, this critical election urged Iranians to vote for the opposing candidate, Mir Hussein Moussavi. But officials claimed Ahmadinejad won at least 60% of the vote, encouraging tens of thousands of Iranians to protest in Tehran alone. The protests in the nation’s capital mark one the biggest demonstrations since the country’s revolution in 1979.

On June 12, 2009, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was re-elected president of Iran causing worldwide protests as Iranians disagreed with the outcome and honesty of the election. Given the country’s sordid history of conflict and suppression, this critical election urged Iranians to vote for the opposing candidate, Mir Hussein Moussavi. But officials claimed Ahmadinejad won at least 60% of the vote, encouraging tens of thousands of Iranians to protest in Tehran alone. The protests in the nation’s capital mark one the biggest demonstrations since the country’s revolution in 1979.

Unfortunately, Iran’s police and militia have taken to the streets as well, turning violent and killing at least 17 as of today, including Neda Agha-Soltan, whose last moments were recorded on video and streamed around the world. Neda’s death resonates with the Iranian women as the country has always struggled with women’s equal rights. Additionally, Ahmadinejad’s role represents a regression in the women’s movement, whereas his opposing candidate, Moussavi represented a step in a progressive direction.

As conflict ensues, support from around the world continues. In Chicago on Saturday, June 20, Iranian-Americans gathered in Chicago’s Daley Plaza in show of support as well. For more information and coverage, we encourage you to visit the New York Times, BBC, The Guardian,and Huffington Post.