Free to Believe in Green

I have always had the freedom to think what I please and say what I think. Sure, we have conventions. If I'm rude I may be chastised or lose a few friends. But the law protects my freedom of speech.

For those like me who love to share opinions and feelings, the internet is a boon. The City Daily Photo blog community is all about worldwide understanding and friendship; through it I've made friends all across the planet.

I can't imagine not having the freedom to speak to them. I can't imagine being afraid that if I shared my opinions of my culture, my spiritual beliefs or my country's politics I might pay for it with my life.

A City Daily Photo blogger is missing in Iran. For him, and for all the bloggers, journalists and Iranian citizens jailed either by their rulers or just by the rules, today is a special blog day to raise awareness. I don't know if the Iranian people would elect a leader I like, but it doesn't matter. I defend their right to elect whomever they choose, and to speak openly about their choices.

Click here to view thumbnails for all today's participants, and you'll see our worldwide family united in this effort. To sign the Avaaz petition to the Organization of Islamic Conference, the Non-Aligned Movement and all UN member states, click here. (Thanks to Hilda of My Manila for the Avaaz link.)

UPDATE, 2:30 PM: AMIR IS HOME SAFE! Reports are confirmed, according to JM at Oeiras and Environs Daily Photo. Thank you!

Green Balloon Friday for Iran

The Iranian protests touch me through blogging. That is, I've become friends with Iranian bloggers who have been threatened and whose blogs have been censored in recent days. This tells me how easily an issue becomes personal if I can only put a face on it--if I meet a person who is part of it.

Pasadena Daily Photo is part of a larger community called the City Daily Photo community. One of our fellow bloggers is missing in Tehran.

Here's a blog that's still going strong. He blogs in both Farsi and English. Yesterday he said:

GREEN BALLOON FRIDAY for IRAN

WE WILL PAINT THE SKY, GREEN. IN IRAN, AND AROUND THE WORLD.
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Are you mad about what has been happening inside Iran these days? Well then take a deep breath... blow it all into a Green Balloon... and wait until Friday afternoon to send it up to the sky, wherever you are on this planet. Millions of Iranians inside Iran are planning to paint the sky green on Friday exactly at 1pm Tehran time. The non-violent green movement is being cracked down on the ground, so lets take it to the sky.
People are called to send "green" balloons to the sky on Friday in Iran and any where else in the world. Sky is ours if they ban us express ourselves on the ground. They may shoot our balloons but at least we can be happy that no one dies.

Tehran is 10 hours ahead of us, so just go ahead and send 'em up! Here are some places to buy balloons in Pasadena.

I've chosen to use an old photo today, from my 12th day of blogging. I retouched it for the occasion. My balloons are green at heart.

Spread the Word

I haven't seen the White Hut open lately, have you?

Brigham Yen has his finger on the pulse what's going to happen on the southeast corner of Colorado and Madison. I like Brigham's blog. I suspect a lot of people will have mixed feelings about what's planned for that corner, though.

Another subject: are you a blogger? If you're so inclined, join bloggers worldwide this Sunday, June 28th as we post in support of the people of Iran in their struggle for self-determination. Post a video from YouTube or a photo you've found particularly inspiring or even disturbing. Or just post the color green in solidarity with the protesters. Say what you feel about self-determination or free speech. Let me know if you'd like more suggestions and I'll post them here.
The world is watching. Spread the word.