Huge Protest Planned in Iran

Despite scarily effective crackdowns by Iranian officials, thousands of protesters are expected to march silently on Thursday to show their continued discontent over the re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and to commemorate the 10th anniversary of a violent confrontation between students and security forces. Opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi has called for an end to public protests, and the streets of Tehran have been eerily silent over the past week after earlier protests were met with violence. Demonstrators have been advised to carry nothing heavier than a rose and to dress modestly. Tehran's police chief announced that his forces will confront protesters, and some officials warned that the Revolutionary Guards would be deployed, as well. But the demonstrations will go on. "A virtual campaign is in full force, and nobody is able to keep it in check," read one protest announcement.