Iran Arrests Mourning Mothers

Over 20 mothers taking part in an anti-government rally were arrested Saturday, in anticipation of student protests planned for Monday. The regular rally, which has taken place every Saturday since the death of 26-year-old Neda Agha-Soltan, has been targeted by Iranian police before, but this was the first time mothers were arrested. Iran clamped down on security and broke up demonstrations in preparation for the National Student Day protests. Officials have also blocked Internet access and warned foreign journalists to refrain from covering the event. Students are planning to hold demonstrations within university walls, where security forces are not allowed to enter. Mir Hossein Mousavi, who lost to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in last summer’s disputed election, threw his support behind the student protests.