Though all recent media attention on Iran has focused on the Islamic Republic’s quest for nuclear power, another type of power has been slowly and steadily incubating in Iran, receiving very little to no coverage: people’s power.

Over the past few years, a surging tide of activists, ranging from labor organizers, women, students, and oppressed national minorities to intellectuals, political prisoners,  environmentalists, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender activists have helped spur a revival of various autonomous social movements.