The Tehran police dispersed hundreds of young demonstrators yesterday evening, using live fire and tear gas to break up the crowds on the streets. "Security forces are beating demonstrators, men and women. Some of them are injured and bleeding," said one witness in Tehran's central Haft-e Tir square. 

The demonstrations were an offshoot of government authorized gatherings to mark "Student Day" – members of the opposition movement took advantage of the large crowds to renew their protest against the Iranian presidential election results, which took place 6 months ago.

Media sources reported that Iranian security forces attempted to prevent the demonstrations, by surrounding the Tehran university, but the students were able to get out, and marched in the streets. At other universities in the country, demonstrations were held on campus grounds.

Police fired warning shots in the air, and tear gas at the demonstrators, and beat the demonstrators with batons. Many young people were arrested, including one of Iran's student leaders.

Demonstrators called on people to join them in the streets, by sending out messages on cell phones. The government cut off phone and internet service in many areas, in an effort to thwart the mass turnout for the demonstrations all over the country. But the protests did take place, and demonstrators who back the opposition leader, Mirhossein Mousavi, chanted "Mirhossein, we support you!"