Issue and Opponent: After a highly controversial election in Iran in 2009, incumbent president Mahmood Ahmadinejad was declared the winner. This resulted in violent clashes between protestors and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, producing injuries and casualties. Iranian paramilitary Basij forces conducted night raids, invading homes and beating residents as an attempt to stop protests.
Dilemma Action: To protest the violence being committed against them, citizens of Iran took to their rooftops to shout “Allah-O-Akbar,” meaning “God is Great.” This protest took to traditional Iranian protest roots, referencing the Iranian revolution in 1979. The protestors also took to social media to show the world the violence they were experiencing and display their nightly chants.
Outcomes: The official government websites did not report a reaction to these protests, but the Iranian government did state they do not support the street protests. It is reported that during these protests, the Basiji entered neighborhoods and shot live rounds into the air. Night raids to stop protestors continued. Mahmood Ahmadinejad remained in power until 2013.