Live Blog Updates From February 20th Protests

Tehran Time – Radio Zamaneh [RZ] | Deutsche Welle Persian [DW]

7:30pm- [RZ] Kaleme news reports on an increase in dispersed gatherings in Tehran as night falls. Gatherings are increasing in certain areas of Tehran, including Vali-Asr Street, Chahar Rah Parkway, Mirdamad and Hafte-Tir squares. Government forces are clashing with pro-democracy demonstrators at Mirdamad Street and Hafte-Tir Square.

6:31pm– [RZ] RAHANA reports that protesters have been beaten up in the city of Mashhad:”In Rahnamyei Street and Parastar Street in Mashhad, security forces beat up and assaulted the people who had come to the street to honour the memory of those who were killed on February 14 protests”.

6:05pm- [RZ] In Shiraz, it has been reported that on Mullah Sadra and Chamran streets people are moving in large numbers but in smaller groups, and no big gathering has been formed…the presence of plainclothes militia and the police is strong. Shops are closed in routes where people have shown up in large numbers.

‎5:44pm- [RZ] An eyewitness told Radio Zamaneh that “There are people present at Enghelab Square but not as much as some reports indicated, and nobody is chanting slogans. People are just moving in smaller groups and marching”.

5:39pm- [RZ] Leyli Pourzand wrote on her facebook page some 40 minutes ago: “I just had a call from Vali-e Asr Square in Tehran. The caller was saying that people are trying to get to Vali-e Asr street from the side streets. There is a very large crowd. People are walking and silently marching on both sidewalks. The security forces are also present in large numbers. The clashes are sporadic for now. The caller said that it was an interesting scene and continued that (s)he had never seen a crowd of this size walk so wisely and quietly on the sidewalk.”

5:20pm- [DW] There are reports from Tehran that protesters are chanting harsh slogans against Iran’s Leader [Khamenei] such as “We did not get killed so that we compromise, and praise the murderer leader ” adn “Seyyed Ali, hope you die/and see Ben Ali[deposed Tunisian dictator]”.

5:15pm- [RZ] An eyewitness has told RAHANA, “Near state radio and TV complex, severe clashes have taken place between people and security forces. Security forces have fired tear gas on the protesters”. The eyewitness also heard gunshots being fired. According to RAHANA, 2000-3000 people have gathered in Vali-e Asr Square (#15 on the map) and are chanting “Death to Dictator”.

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4:12pm– [RZ] Based on reports by eyewitness news at 2:52pm, protesters had filled Keshavarz Blvd (#18) and demonstrators were stating that they were moving toward Pasteur street (#19 on map). ”

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4:10pm- ‎[RZ] An eyewitness told Radio Koocheh, “The clashes between anti-riot forces and people in Enghelab Square (#9 on the map) has left 15 wounded. There has also been several arrests. ”

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4:00pm- [RZ] An eyewitness has told Radio Zamaneh that the city of Mahabad (in Iran Kurdistan) has become the scene of unrest. Anti-government protesters have gathered in several main streets of the city. They have set tires and garbage bins on fire and  shut down the streets. There are also reports of the “People’s movement” in the city of Sanandaj (the capital of Kurdistan province)

3:25pm- [RZ] An eyewitness told Radio Zamaneh, “There are so many security forces in Vali-e Asr Square (#15 in the map), that one cannot move. There are people as well, but nobody is chanting slogans yet.”

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-Siavosh Jalili