Media Coverage
“Remembering Neda Agha Soltan” - Video report by Gigi Graciette, FOX 11 News
Web sites and pages
On the Web
June 24th, 2009Dedicated to Neda
June 22nd, 2009
“We Believe” by Ron Buitenhuis
“Baraye Hameye Nedahaye Iran” (For all ‘Neda’s of Iran) by Faramarz Aslani, Iranian guitarist and pop singer
“Neda-ye Eshgh” (Neda of Love) by Mansour, Iranian pop singer based in California
Not directly dedicated to Neda, but significant: Jon Bon Jovi and bandmate Richie Sambora recorded a version of Ben E. King’s classic “Stand by Me” with Iranian superstar Andy Madadian
“We Shall Overcome”, another tribute dedicated to Iranian protesters, by Joan Baez
You are neither dead, nor will you die
You will always remain alive
You have an eternal existence
You are the voice of the people of Iran
~ Simin Behbahani, one of Iran’s most prominent poets
(Bebahani recites the poem in an interview with NPR’s Davar Ardalan)
“Neda” by Shahin Najafi, Iranian rapper
“Neda” by Siavash Shams, Iranian pop singer
“Khodahafez Gole Soori” (Goodbye Pink Rose) by Farhad Darya, Afghan singer
“The Call” - Song by Flow (YouTube video)
“Eyes” - Portrait by Tim O’Brian
“You will not Defeat the People” by Johnny Maudlin
(with Persian subtitles)
“RIPTIDE” (Dedicated to Neda) by Mile 77
In Persian: “Neda” by Mandana
In Persian: “Neda ye Sarzamin” (Neda of my homeland)
“Neda Forever” - Artwork by Adriana Teixera
Download: larger version (JPEG) | vector (SVG) - under Creative Commons license
In Persian: “Lala kon, Neda” (Sleep tight, Neda)
In Persian: “Who would have thought we all became Neda?” - Poem by Foad
Who is Neda?
June 22nd, 2009
Neda Agha Soltan (Persian: ندا آقا سلطان), born 1982, died 20 June 2009, was an Iranian woman whose killing, by Basij militia during the 2009 Iranian election protests, was captured on video by bystanders. The graphic videos were posted on the Internet, and her name quickly became a rallying cry for the opposition. Neda means “voice” or “calling” in Persian, and she has been referred to as the “voice of Iran” and “a symbol of pro-democracy protesters battering the Islamic regime” in the World. (From Wikipedia)
One blogger posted that Neda was protesting in Tehran when pro-government Basiji militia opened fire and shot her. “The final moments of her tender young life leaked into the pavement of Karegeh Street today, captured by cell phone cameras,” the unnamed blogger posted on Newsvine.com. “And not long after, took on new life, flickering across computer screens around the world on YouTube, and even CNN.”
People on Twitter started forming a discussion group with the “hashtag” #neda to post their comments about her death and media coverage of the killing, as well.
It became one of the top “trending topics” on Twitter by Saturday evening, early Sunday Tehran time. “Neda, ojala que tu muerte no sea en vano,” one poster tweeted in Spanish. “Neda, I hope that your death is not in vain.” (From CNN)
“Neda, don’t be afraid. Neda, don’t be afraid. Neda, stay with me. Neda stay with me!”
BBC interview with Dr Arash Hejazi, the doctor who tried to save Neda
More About Neda: