Iranians Take To Streets Of Tehran

27 September 2004 -- A rare pro-democracy protest has taken place in the Iranian capital Tehran.
Local residents said Persian-language television channels from the United States inspired the protest. The channels broadcast callers throughout the day telling people in Tehran to take to the streets.

Two hundred riot police were deployed on the streets in Tehran early in the day when about 2,000 people turned out. By nightfall, the protest had gained momentum, with hundreds of cars pouring onto the streets, blaring their horns.

There have been no reports of clashes, although hard-line vigilantes had also turned out.

(Reuters)