Neda has become the face of the opposition in Iran, the spirit of a movement of women who are compelled to defy restrictions and protest the disputed election outcome.  Fatally shot on June 20 while in a rally in Tehran, Neda’s name, which in Farsi means ‘the voice’ or ‘the call,’ carries strong symbolism for the protesters. 

Neda Agha Soltan, a 27 year-old philosophy student at Azad University in Tehran, was killed by a Basij militiaman Saturday in Tehran.  The Basija are a volunteer paramilitary force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.  Iranian state television reports that seventeen people have been killed during the protests so far.

Bloomberg news reports that a crowd of 1,000 mourners was disbanded by authorities wielding batons and tear gas on June 22 in central Tehran.  Caspian Makan, fiancé of Neda, has told the BBC’s Persian television channel of the young woman’s strong convictions:

“Neda had said that even if she lost her life and got a bullet in her head, she would carry on. She gave a big lesson to everyone even though she was very young.”

As news of Neda and the protests circulate far and wide, the women of Iran have clearly shown themselves to be a powerful and critical element of the opposition.  The images of Neda and women protesting have shed light on the spirit of the Iranian people and their desire for democracy.

On June 23, following an admission by the election monitoring body that voting discrepancies were found in 50 cities, the Guardian Council has “refused to nullify the contested presidential election,” The New York Times reports.  A spokesman for the Council announced that “there is no possibility of an annulment taking place” while addressing the nation on state television.

Neda’s Death Highlights Women’s Role in Iran Protests-Bloomberg news
Top Clerical Council in Iran Rejects Plea to Annul Vote-The New York Times
An Overlooked Force in Iran-Washington Post