VOA标准英语2009-Demonstrators Question Iran Election Results

Demonstrators are holding peaceful rallies in cities across the world to express their concern over the disputed results of last Friday's presidential election in Iran, in which the government declared incumbent¹ Mahmoud Ahmadinejad the victor. A rally was held in New York's Union Square Park in show of support for Iran's opposition².
　
Woman holds photo of Mir Hossein Mousavi during Iran solidarity³ protest in Stanford, California 17 Jun 2009

Demonstrators converged⁴ on New York's Union Square Park Wednesday night to show their solidarity with Iranians who have taken to their own streets for the last few days to protest the outcome of Friday's vote. Iranian officials say President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad overwhelmingly beat out three challengers, including his nearest rival, reformist candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi.

Why protest?

The call for Wednesday's rally in New York went out over the Internet. Organizer Amid Amidi, 28, said he put out the call through social networking sites Facebook and Twitter. Some 300 people responded. He said this grassroots movement wants to send the message to the Iranian people that they support them in their struggle.

"The unelected leaders of that country have failed over and over again in fulfilling their obligations to the citizens of that country," Amidi said. "They are out there now fighting for democracy and reform, and I just want to say that people here in New York hear you. We hear your struggle and we are 100 percent behind you."

Supporters at the rally echoed that sentiment.

"I am here to be there for them. At least to be their voice for them," one protester said. "I can't do anything there for them. They give their blood, but I give my voice for them. That is all I could do. I wish I could more."

"Iranian Americans are supporting their young and old bretheren in Iran in their quest for greater democracy and greater freedoms," another protester added.

Many rallies planned

In addition to the New York vigil, rallies were also planned for Wednesday in cities in the U.S. states of Pennsylvania, California, Iowa and Oregon.

Meanwhile, opposition rallies took place in cities from Australia to Europe.

In Melbourne, Australia, about 300 Iranian expatriates held a peaceful protest, carrying signs and banners calling for an end to the street violence in their homeland and a recount of the votes.

"I believe that they actually cheated in the election and they manipulated the results," a protester said.

Demand for investigation⁵

In Berlin, Germany, representatives of United Republicans of Iran met in front of the Iranian embassy to demand an investigation into the election results.

Member Mehran Barati said it is no longer about the election of Mousavi, but the right to a free vote.

And in Seoul, South Korea, a group of Iranians rallied before a football [soccer] match between South Korea and Iran.

Several Iranian players, including the team captain, began the game wearing green bands around their wrists. Green is the campaign color of opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi.

1 incumbent   

adj.成为责任的，有义务的；现任的，在职的

参考例句：

• He defeated the incumbent governor by a large plurality.他以压倒多数票击败了现任州长。
• It is incumbent upon you to warn them.你有责任警告他们。

2 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

3 solidarity   

n.团结；休戚相关

参考例句：

• They must preserve their solidarity.他们必须维护他们的团结。
• The solidarity among China's various nationalities is as firm as a rock.中国各族人民之间的团结坚如磐石。

4 converged   

v.（线条、运动的物体等）会于一点( converge的过去式 )；（趋于）相似或相同；人或车辆汇集；聚集

参考例句：

• Thousands of supporters converged on London for the rally. 成千上万的支持者从四面八方汇聚伦敦举行集会。
• People converged on the political meeting from all parts of the city. 人们从城市的四面八方涌向这次政治集会。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 investigation   

n.调查，调查研究

参考例句：

• In an investigation,a new fact became known, which told against him.在调查中新发现了一件对他不利的事实。
• He drew the conclusion by building on his own investigation.他根据自己的调查研究作出结论。