Neda Agha-Soltan (Neda Soltani) was killed in Iran during the recent political protests. Reports allege she was shot by pro-government militia who were trying to stop protesters.
To add insult to injury, the government ordered her family to bury Neda immediately and barred them from holding a memorial service. Apparently authorities in Iran are ordering mosques not to hold services for any people who have died at the recent protests.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/23/world/middleeast/23neda.html?_r=1
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/06/21/iran.woman.twitter/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8113552.stm
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jeJnPi6AOx5JpqWi2Wwv3AaesBPAD98VPEOG0
Usually I like to experience the feeling of schadenfreude by reading the occassional news story about a tragedy, many of which are brought on by the foolishness, ignorance, and/or stupidity of the person suffering the indignity. However in Neda's case, she has become a martyr for the freedom and rights of humankind. Her death, as any person whose life is cut short, is a loss to be felt by us all. It makes me both sad and angry at the same time.
We have so many problems in this world to overcome without killing each other. That somebody's daughter, son, father, or mother dies because of something like this is BULLSHIT. Rage Against the Machine's song "Killing in the Name" is currently stuck on repeat in my head as a mantra of defiance against those immoral assholes who only exercise power to control: FUCK YOU, I WON'T DO WHAT YOU TELL ME!
To the kind, moral, and thoughtful people of all creeds, religions, and philosophies, I beseech you to look past surface differences and realize we are all in this together... Peace to Neda, her loved ones, the people of Iran, and the people of the world.
