Iranian opposition planning Dec. 7 events

TEHRAN, Dec. 3 (UPI) -- Thousands of students at Tehran University called on Reformist leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karoubi to take part in National Student Day events Dec. 7.

The opposition movement in Iran announced it was calling on its supporters to take to the streets on Dec. 7 to take advantage of celebrations honoring National Student Day.

The day is in commemoration of the 1953 slaying of three university students by Iranian police.

Opposition supporters at Tehran University claim more than 90 percent of their colleagues want former presidential candidates Mousavi and Karroubi to attend Dec. 7 events, reports Radio Zamaneh, an independent Persian broadcaster in the Netherlands.

Student leaders called on the opposition leaders to renew their pledge to stand up to the despotic regime in Tehran. Mousavi led a so-called Green Revolution in Iran in the wake of a disputed victory for Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in June elections.

Post-election unrest followed the election, sparking some of the most violent protests in Iran in decades.

The government launched a massive crackdown against dissidents, though the opposition has exploited national holidays to voice frustration with the clerical regime.

Tehran has arrested and sentenced dozens of dissidents since June, including former Vice President Mohammad Ali Abtahi, who served under Reformist President Mohammad Khatami from 1997 to 2001.