Knowing who's the enemy, and who isn't

What kind of a person does it take to defend the very individual who, second before, was menacingly waving a stick, threatening to hurt her, driving carelessly into the masses with his dirt-bike to scare and disperse the demonstrators?

Apologies for the low res - but you can still clearly see the woman in black, defending the Basiji being attacked.

(source: screenshot from a Euronews report)

His control over his bike was not as good as he thought it was - an abrupt turn and the bike went skidding, sending him lying on his back as demonstrators, angry at the Basiji who actually volunteered for the task of hurting, perhaps killing them, were getting ready to give him a piece of their mind.

At the first kick, he realises the trouble he's in, and raises his hands, begging for the mercy he failed to show moments before.

In comes this woman. This woman in black. She was in that crowd, too. The crowd trying to avoid getting their head blown up but a Basiji gunshot or billy club.

She was his potential victim.
But she chooses to defend him instead.

She physically puts herself between him and the angry crowd, receives a hit or two, but holds still. She holds the man in her arms, screaming at the people to let him go. That he's neutralised, he cannot hurt them anymore - that they should leave it to that.
She holds on, pushes them. Most eventually pass their way.


That wasn't the only such event. Later the same day, a similar scene, this time a woman in light blue. I'm sure it happened elsewhere as well.


I am simply amazed. Where did she find the power to forgive, the strength to stand for him, against an angry crowd? How? Why?


It isn't a 'motherly instinct' or such - it goes far beyond that. It's a vivid conscience, a humane spirit, and more importantly a clear understanding of who the enemy is. These demonstrations/riots/revolution - take your pick - are not the precursor to civil conflict. It isn't Iranians vs. Iranians. It's Iranians, some of them, perhaps a majority, against their government.

And what this woman did was, to me, stronger than a million declaration or speeches.
Before her, I bow in respect. And because of her, I believe in the rightness of her fight.




(Sidenote regarding the Basiji: This blog aims to name and shame them. If you have information..)

Other articles on the Iranian post-elections period:
Ehh... Welcome back, Mr. Ahmadinejad [?]
On disclosing sources in Iran
To You, the new Iran 'expert'