Iran 'Rioters' vs. U.S. 'Protesters': A Semantic Masterclass
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says 'rioters' must not disrupt society, accusing the U.S. and Israel of backing them. A familiar tune, one might say, given how 'rioters' in Tehran often become 'pro-democracy activists' in Washington D.C., complete with flattering media profiles. Meanwhile, protestors disrupting society in Gaza (not to mention those in our fine Western democracies speaking out
against genocide) are routinely labeled as 'impeding traffic,' 'antisemitic,' or simply 'disrupting society.' It appears the definition of 'riot' — and who is permitted to fund it — depends entirely on whose geopolitical chessboard you're playing on. Funny how that works.