Word: basij
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...Iran's feared security forces. The crowds burned tires, honked horns, waved peace signs and chanted, "Death to the dictators." Because the demonstrators gathered in several neighborhoods throughout the capital as well as at the country's largest cemetery, 12 miles (20 km) south of the city center, the Basij paramilitary and Revolutionary Guards could not cover enough ground to control the growing crowds - one of the largest outpourings in recent weeks, albeit spread about the city. The protests even continued into the city's subway system as many participants hurried back into the city from the aborted prayer service...
...forces of intimidation may have been spread thin, but when they were present, they were just as brutal as before. Basij gangs on red motorcycles roared through the Vanak Square chasing protesters with batons. There were reports of gunshots. But the fervor of the crowds won over even some businesses worried about appearing to collaborate with the opposition. One hotel had refused to let protesters seek refuge from the Basij on its premises until a young man rushed past with blood pouring down his head. At that point, the hotel opened its doors to the crowd...
...crowds in Tehran did not disperse until sundown. "At about 8 p.m.," said an eyewitness, "I went through Vanak again and saw the Mad Max army of [Basij] motor bikes amassed," taking control of the city once more. "But for a few hours," the witness said, "I saw a look in many people's faces that I had not seen since the week after the election - a look that said, 'We can win this...
...opposition planned to hold a candlelight vigil. There the protesters confronted hundreds of Revolutionary Guards, who had sealed off the north side of the complex. Meanwhile, the capital's Haqqani expressway was jammed with cars - a strategy used by the protesters in recent weeks to stop the motorcycle Basij gangs. Many vehicles were honking their horns, their passengers waving the peace sign out the window...
...Basij did not hesitate to go after the protest cars. The back window of one black sedan had been completely smashed in; other cars were abandoned after similar attacks. A group of Basij were seen trying to bash in the window of one car, but the gang retreated because there were too many other cars around. One of the Basij, however, reappeared later holding a license plate in his hand, almost certainly to help identify the owner of the offending...