Young Iranian Stitet Mists Battle the Cmokdown - T 4E http://www.time oom/tim&world/article/O, 8599, 1915342,00,html?iid—d,,
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For a few hours on a recent evening, the headaches of keeping a step
ahead of Iran's notorious security forces begin to fade.
Skateboarders, BMX bikers and aggressive inline skaters zip down
the quarter-pipe in their baggy street wear, pumping their arms
whenever they land a tricky move. Small groups of teens from
relatively well-off families, some still in middle school, standon the
sidelines staring in awe while beats spin over the booming speakers.
Iranian Rockers
Unite for Freedom
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The Turbulent
Aftermath of Iran's
Election
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In Iran, New
The capital's only skate park is a rare refuge for
som e of the country ‘s restless and burgeoning
youths, allowing them to congregate without
being harassed by the feared Basij militia.
Under President MahmoudAhmadinejad's rule
and particularly since the disputed June 12
election, when thousands of angry teens and
20-somethings took to the streets, the religious
police have cracked down on this sort of
rebellious youth culture, driving it further
underground. “These artists are at the same
level as those in the West, but they're working
under the most incredible pressures,” explains
an Iranian electro-music producer who is in his
20s. “If they're arrested here, the end of the
road is execution.”
(See pictures olpeople around the world protesting the
Iranian election.)
That is not to say these musicians, artists and
skater punks have been cowed into silence;
rather, their influence in a country where 2
out of3 are under the age of3o, with many
hungry for Western cultural imports, has
perhaps never been greater. In the run-up to
the presidential election, many young voters
were eagerly trading CD mix tapes featuring
underground artists — practically all working
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Graffiti, Hip-Hop, Sk8s: Teh ran's Young
Rebels Battle the Crackdown
By TIME STAFF Filthy, Aug. 07, 200
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8/13/2009 10:27 AM
Young Iranian Sti et Artists Battle the Cmckdown - TIME http://www.time. comltime/world/aiticle/O, 8599, 1915342,00.html?iidd...
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