Web blitz urges protests on Iran's Revolution day

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - Iranian opposition groups flooded the Web yesterday with calls for a massive show of force during the Feb. 11 anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, openly taunting authorities who have warned of a punishing response to any disruptions of the most hallowed day in the Iranian political calendar.

The blitz of messages and videos on opposition sites and social networking forums highlighted the continued ability of anti-government forces to harness the Internet despite attempts by Iranian officials to cripple their Web outreach.

It also suggested that the Feb. 11 commemorations could become a replay of the street battles that have marked political and religious dates that protesters have used to challenge the ruling system. In the latest violence, eight people died in clashes with security forces across Iran in late December, including a nephew of opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi.

The barrage of opposition Web postings picked up steam yesterday with some drawing parallels between the current showdowns against Iran's Islamic leaders and the 1979 groundswell that toppled the Western-backed monarchy.

One video featured patriotic music with scenes from 1979 and the demonstrations that began with claims of vote-rigging in last June's presidential election.

"Countrymen, rise up," read one message by the opposition blog Balatarin.com. "Victory is near."

The blog included a calendar marking the dates of the opposition marches since June and pointing to plans for upcoming protests - the next being timed to coincide with the government's Feb. 11 events that culminate with a huge political gathering in Tehran's Azadi Square.