Remember My Name
On June 20, a 26-year old woman named Neda Soltani was gunned down in the streets of Tehran, Iran, during a protest over the outcome of that country’s recent presidential election.
A mobile phone video of her murder circulated across the internet on YouTube and Facebook. Details were almost immediately being published by amateurs and citizens on Twitter and other social networking sites.
In an article posted the LA Times, it’s clear that friends and family regarded Neda Soltani as a likeable and nonviolent young woman:
She loved music, especially Persian pop, and was taking piano classes, according to Panahi, who is in his 50s, and other friends. She was also an accomplished singer, they said.
“She was a person full of joy,” said her music teacher and close friend Hamid Panahi, who was among the mourners at her family home on Sunday, awaiting word of her burial. “She was a beam of light. I’m so sorry. I was so hopeful for this woman.”
Such a horrible waste.
Senator John McCain had the following to say about the incident and, although I’m not a fan of his, I certainly think his words were appropriate and timely.
We cannot change what has happened to this innocent young woman. But, perhaps, we can all agree that violence is never the answer.
I will not be embedding or linking to the video of Neda Soltani’s death as I don’t find it very respectful at this stage.