Iran's lipstick revolution

June 20, 3:33 PMPortland Progressive ExaminerMichael Stone

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Iranian women demonstrating in Tehran

Iran’s lipstick revolution is in full swing. Tehran, Iran's capital, is on a knife's edge as opposition supporters (many women) are defying warnings by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei to stay indoors. Clashing with police amid reports by the state media of a bomb explosion at the revered Imam Khomeini shrine, a site of extraordinary political symbolism, men and women are making history in Iran.

Perhaps of even greater symbolism is the role women are playing in the uprising. They are out in the street, marching with their Iranian brothers. Women, old and young, are visible at every rally, chanting and shouting, defiantly flashing V for Victory signs, carrying placards protesting the election results,defying the police and, in some cases, facing brutal retaliation.

By and large Iranian women, like their male counterparts, oppose the fraudulent re-election of Ahmadinejad. In addition, women are demanding equal rights and economic opportunity.

Others say the presence of so many woman is only the tip of the iceberg. "This movement is not about wearing lipstick and throwing their veil off," Kelly Nikinejad, editor of Tehranbureau.com, told ABC News. "It's so much deeper than that".

Responding to the turmoil on the streets of Iran, President Barack Obama urged the Iranian government Saturday to "stop all violent and unjust actions against its own people" as protests continued in Iran against the alleged rigging of last week's election.  In addition, the President said:

"The Iranian government must understand that the world is watching. We mourn each and every innocent life that is lost. The universal rights to assembly and free speech must be respected, and the United States stands with all who seek to exercise those rights."

Iranians, men and women, are taking a bold and brave step toward political self determination. Yet the remarkable images of women with uncovered heads who are unafraid to speak their minds, and crowds that are not segregated by sex, are simply unheard of in Iran. It may be that a long-brewing women's movement may finally be manifesting itself on the streets of Iran.

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