March For A Free Iran

The March For A Free Iran protest proceeded along Regent Street today, and it was pure coincidence that I came across it because I was just out for a walk. I had a coffee in a little hole in the wall place off Regent Street and then walked down Vigo Street to the back of the Burlington Arcade because I wanted to photograph the arcade. Then I walked through the arcade onto Piccadilly to photograph the other end of the arcade. And from that distance from Regent Street, I heard the protestors.

When I met the protest at Piccadilly Circus I realised there were many tens of thousands of people marching in support of regime change.

Tamara wondered whether it was really true that it is illegal to walk a dog in Iran, so I googled it

Question: Is it legal to walk a dog on the street in Iran?

Answer: No, it is generally not legal to walk a dog on the street in Iran, as authorities have significantly expanded bans to many cities, citing public health, safety, and religious/cultural concerns (dogs seen as “unclean”), with police authorised to fine, arrest, or confiscate pets, though enforcement can be inconsistent. While not a total ban on dog ownership, public walking and transport in vehicles are widely prohibited.

And “and transport in vehicles” is also prohibited?

I am in a minority in that I agree that dogs shouldn’t be kept in towns and cities. I am not that keen on the idea of dogs as pets at all.

If a person lives in the countryside and goes walking with a dog not on a lead – then that seems more like the kind of partner relationship that makes sense to me.

But would I ever want to actually ban dogs being walked in towns? G-d no. What a trampling on people’s feelings. It’s ugly.

And then the killing of so many people in the protests. Anyone who isn’t appalled at that should think about their own country and image the Authorities killed that many people. Who can believe that the Regime in Iran is in step with the people? No one. When the people move on, it is the Government that must step aside. And killing to maintain its position is barbaric.

In my mind I can imagine all the people in this photo shot dead – they and thousands more.