IND:  At IranNewsDigest, we mostly post articles from the world’s leading publications or interesting Iranian blogs but we are making an exception here.  The following is a paper written by  a fourth grader.  She was chosen to read her essay at the National Cathedral.  Her mothers says:  “You would be surprised how many children and adults came up to her and asked her about the movement.  Sadly, many of them had never heard of it which surprised me since it is such a highly educated population.  It is an indication that we MUST spread the word!”

[She wasn't allowed to mention the candidates names.]  My biggest dream is that Iran will become a free country.  This past summer there was an election for a new president of Iran. There were two candidates. Millions of people voted for one while only a small fraction of Iran voted for the other candidate. Most people voted for one because they were excited at the thought that they would be given the freedom that they never had before. Iran lacks many simple freedoms that most people in America take for granted. For example, Iran doesn’t have freedom of speech, freedom of press, freedom of expression, especially freedom of religion, and for the women, not even freedom of dress. When the election results were revealed, the candidate with fewer votes was announced as the new president. The people of Iran were furious because they all knew the election was rigged.   Instead of reacting with violence, the people of Iran decided to resolve this in a peaceful protest called The Green Movement. They wanted to solve this peacefully like great people in history such as Martin Luther King and Gandhi. Dressed in all green, the people of Iran roamed the streets peacefully chanting Allaho Akbar which means God is the greatest. Because of Iran’s bad government, this peaceful protest turned violent very quickly. Iranian officers imprisoned, beat, and even killed these people who were just fighting for freedom peacefully. Even through all this, Iranians continue to protest on the streets today. Look at how much these people want their freedom. Would you risk your life to fight for what you believed in? My dream is for the people of Iran and the people of the world to get the freedom and respect that they deserve.