A6

Ali Akbar Dareini
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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TEHRAN, Iran - The contrasts were vivid: Pro-government supporters chanted "Death to America" and stomped on U.S. flags Wednesday while not far away, hundreds of opposition protesters denounced Iran's leaders and appealed to America's president to choose sides.

"Obama, Obama, you are either with them, or with us," the anti-government protesters chanted in Farsi, in an amateur video clip widely circulated on the Internet.

The new and startling appeal to President Barack Obama came as Iran's opposition protesters returned to the streets in large numbers for the first time in nearly two months. Authorities were ready with the same sweeping measures they used to quell fierce election-fraud protests this summer and early fall: Sending paramilitary units to key locations to fire tear gas and beat people with batons.

The protests showed the determination of Iran's opposition to reassert its voice. But the latest marches drew far fewer demonstrators than in the summer or even in September, suggesting the relentless pressure by authorities could be taking a toll.

In Washington, the White House called for an end to the violence against anti-government protesters. White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said Obama administration leaders "hope greatly that violence will not spread."

The day - marking the 30th anniversary of the U.S. Embassy takeover - has major symbolic importance for Iran's leaders.

Thousands of people attended a pro-government rally called to mark the anniversary, chanting "Death to America" and walking over and stomping on U.S. flags outside Washington's former embassy.

Just blocks away, hundreds of opposition marchers in Haft-e-Tir Square denounced President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad with cries of "Death to the Dictator" and trampled a poster of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, witnesses said.

Media restrictions now limit journalists to covering state media and government-approved events, such as the rally outside the former embassy.

Authorities had warned protesters days in advance against attempts to disrupt or overshadow the annual gathering outside the former embassy, which was stormed by Iranians in 1979 in the turbulent months after the Islamic Revolution.

Fifty-two Americans were held hostage for 444 days, and the two nations have never resumed diplomatic ties.