I'm almost crying as I watch the news right now of the government crackdown on the massive, nationwide pro-reform gatherings in Iran. 19 people are confirmed dead, with 150 possible deaths. Some of the graphic videos and images are going to haunt me for a while. I'm seeing flashbacks of the Tiananmen Square Massacre in China, only this time it's live and broadcast live around the world.

No one deserves to be treated that way, especially people seeking freedom and human rights. I love that the worldwide online community is doing everything in their power to help. They've rewired computers so that Iranians can use routers outside the country that AREN'T being blocked by the government. There are Twitters telling them to carry Qu'rans, because it is against the Islamic belief to hurt anyone carrying one. Worldwide users on Twitter have changed their home cities to Tehran to try and protect the real Iranians, whom are being persecuted by their government for trying to spread the news. Hackers and website designers are racing against the Iranian government to try and block government sites just as the government is trying to block pro-reform sites. The Iranians inside Iran are struggling to get messages, videos and pictures out of the country, but whatever is coming out is being passed around the world.

This Twitter was broadcast on CNN: "I had one vote. I gave it to Mousavi [reform leader]. I have one life. I give it for freedom."

I can't emphasize enough how much this country suddenly means to me, which sounds crazy 'cause I didn't even LIKE Iran until last week. I hope the protesters succeed. They know that the world is watching and supporting them, and they are willing to risk absolutely EVERYTHING.

I highly doubt any of them will ever see this message, but I'd like to quote V for Vendetta:

"Every inch of me may perish. Except one. An inch. It is small and fragile and it's the only thing in the world that's worth having. We must never lose it or sell it or give it away. We must never let them take it from us."