Campaign of Hope

 Tehran Pre-election was pure freedom.  Obviously not the kind of freedom we know of in most western countries but for a country such as Iran such liberty was unheard of.  I didn’t see any police, or passdars (traditional military guards) or any one for that matter in the streets attempting to arrest or bother the people.  I attended and participated a few of the peaceful rallies and saw the determination, and hope in the people’s eyes.  The green movement was planting its seeds; everywhere you looked all you saw was green.  As a result of this state of governmental latitude the youth seized the moment taking to the streets every single night leading to the election.  The streets were packed with honking cars from 6pm to about 4 or 5am every night. The roads were transformed to massive parking lots, it was practically impossible to get anywhere in the evening without sitting in traffic for hours on end. People handed out pamphlets and CDs with campaign slogans, most blasted music from their cars, many were dancing in the middle of the streets and others were on top of their parked car in traffic celebrating.  This air of hopeful joy and happiness had taken over not only Tehran but most of the major cities in Iran. You couldn’t help but want to join in on their cause.
This went on until the night before the elections where complete silence took over the city.