What we are protesting: Iranian elections

What is it?

Twitter avatars, Facebook mugshots, Web sites and blogs have gone green — not eco-conscious green but the color — in solidarity with Iranians protesting after last week’s elections, in which Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was named winner. Green is the campaign color of challenger Mir Hossein Mousavi.

Who’s doing it?

People of all ages, from poppy teens to middle-aged men. Some users changed their photos to green signs that read “Free Iran Now” and “Where Is Their Vote?” Others posted a solid green block in place of their photo. An Omahan changed his profile picture to a photo of the guardian of the Emerald City in “The Wizard of Oz.”

What are they posting?

Tweets from Iran and retweets from elsewhere to share news, video and photos of the country’s turmoil. Some Twitterers have changed their contact information to “Tehran” to confuse Iranian police tracking protesters’ tweets.

A sampling:

Omahan Greg Hand (@BassManHand) tweeted: “I had so many good friends in Southern Cali who were Iranian. Support These Beautiful People in their Path to FREEDOM!”

Twitter search #IranElection or visit iran.whyweprotest.net for more comments.

Why are they doing it?

Omahan Shawn Woodman (@ghost82) tweeted: “It is any easy way to show support for those in dire need of democracy and help from the rest of the world. Wish there were more I could do.”

Omahan Jeff Slobotski (@jjsNYC) tweeted, “If I can raise awareness for those following me and in turn, they make a statement protesting the handling of the elections/govt, we all win.”

Contact the writer: 444-1075, j.loza@owh.com

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