A distant relative of mine who goes by the name The Omid (yeah, it’s weird, whatever) just sent me these photos from Iran. He’s a photographer and described the current situation as chang, which means “war” in Farsi. When some of my family members hit the election booths on June 12th, the ballot-boxes were already overflowing with fake ballot papers. The Omid’s been going to the protests every day since.
Vice: What’s going on there?
The Omid: We’re demonstrating every day and a lot of people lost their lives, but…
…but?
That’s what we have to pay for our freedom. For some people that actually means giving their life to the cause.
Can you describe the feeling of being out with these masses of people in the streets of Teheran every day?
You feel strong and weak at the same time. You know, snipers could kill you any minute, but we have kept quiet for such a long time and never bothered the Mullahs… Now our time has come.
What can other countries do for you?
The people have to start the revolution. We’re not weak. It’s definitely possible, but many of us have been paralysed with fear. All of my friends set out every day to free their country. It’s beautiful and terrible at the same time. You chancellor, your Mrs. Merkel… please tell the Germans that her speech was amazing.
One last word, what’s the thing you want the most?
Freedom.
Most people only go out during the night because that’s when snipers have problems with their sight.
You can hear “Allaho Akbar“ (God is great) from all rooftops. Every single night. It’s meant against the regime, but you can punish people for using the name of God.
If you grew up in Iran, chances are you had a childhood full of violence and oppression. It seems like things are finally starting to lighten up and there might finally be an end to this era.
(The Omid asked us to show you his logo in exchange for sending us these exclusive photos.)
E. RAFSHA
(photos by The Omid)
Reader Comments
June 23rd, 2009
dude, i cant imagine every day going out and thinking that i could be taken down by a sniper. you have to ask is the price worth the eventual reward?
June 23rd, 2009
I’d go by an alias also if I was publishing photos that could get me killed. The ones with the boys silhouetted against the flames are wonderful shots.
June 23rd, 2009
the iranian women are covered from head to toe but from what you can see of the last couple pics, you can tell they’re actually very pretty. i’ve met some gorgeous iranian women. it’s a pity that their religion requires them to cover up their entire body.
June 23rd, 2009
the opposition leader has come out and stated he is ready to become a martyr. he’s in an obi wan situation because he knows if he is killed he will come back stronger than ever in the form of massive riots countrywide.
June 23rd, 2009
hm…I dont think “The Omid” was very informative with his answers. especially the “What can other countries do for you?” answer… oh well. great photographs and compelling story! but amazing photographs and compelling story.
June 23rd, 2009
these shots are capturing moments of history that will not be forgotten.
June 23rd, 2009
really?? thats all you got from this story…? jesus.
June 23rd, 2009
I’ve never met a Persian I didn’t like, this proves how un-assholian they really are.
June 23rd, 2009
Better they set their own freedom, rather it being shut down Iraqis throat as such….
June 23rd, 2009
whats with that logo? ill redesign in for free if omid wishes
June 23rd, 2009
If you would accept security for the sake of freedom you deserve neither. The resistance in Iran is the most authentic revolution since the uprising in 1776. It arose from a the sense that the governing class no longer represented those whom it governed. They were taxed with out representation and violently suppressed when they objected. The parallels are striking. Even the revolutionary leadership is similar in that they are all establishment figures who were marginalized by a radical minority.
June 23rd, 2009
of course it is worth it. Good on them, they have way more guts then any north american. If there were snipers on the roof we would be blogging until the government was overthrown via email. No one has the guts to stand up to a regime anymore and I applaud the iranians for their courage.
June 23rd, 2009
it’s jang not chang. I don’t believe violence and war has ever gotten us anywhere! If its a message they want to get across, what happened to peaceful protests? Why do you have to sacrifice a human being in the name of peace?
June 23rd, 2009
Violence has created real revolution, dick-head. Obviously Iranians don’t just want to get a message across, they want to change their lives and the lives of future Iranians. I applaud their courage and support their cause.
June 23rd, 2009
They got HUGE balls and they are demonstrating for nothing, just to change an ultra-conservative asshole with another ultra-conservative asshole. Musavi has been primer minister in the past, and he wasn’t a revolutionary…
June 23rd, 2009
those photos are amazing. its a joke that images like that are relegated to blogs (no disrespect vice, its a good blog), whilst international news outlets are using shitty blurs taken on a cameraphone. im pretty sure good photojournalism is screwed these days
June 24th, 2009
Crazy, realized the situation was chaotic but didnt realize there were that many snipers on the rooftops.
June 24th, 2009
Oh a revolution? Like the 1979 revolution in Iran? they got rid of the Shah (king) because he was heading towards democracy and westernizing the country and replaced him with the Ayotallah Khomeini who savagely executed, imprisoned etc the minorities of religious groups and now they want to go back to democractic ways!? make up your minds! No doubt, these people are brave to sacrifice their lives for a cause. There has got to be a more peaceful solution though. Violence should never be a solution. It’s just such an easy way to draw attention to your cause.