Iranian security forces beat anti-government protesters with batons Wednesday on the sidelines of state-sanctioned rallies to mark the 30th anniversary of the U.S. Embassy takeover. The counter-demonstrations were the opposition’s first major show of force on Tehran’s streets in nearly two months.

Activists with Mountain Justice, Rainforest Action Network and other environmental groups are planning nationwide protests demanding an end to mountaintop removal mining in Appalachia.

A leader of about 60 protesters at insurance giant Anthem was taken into custody today after entering the building to ask for someone in the company to respond to his questions about rising premiums.

Escalating protests in Iran amid accusations of voter fraud in last week’s presidential election are reverberating half a world away in central Virginia. Several natives of Iran now living in Virginia are keeping a close eye on the aftermath of Friday’s disputed election, in which incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was declared the winner in a landslide.

Eight activists including five members of Congress protesting the expulsion of aid groups in Darfur were arrested today in front of the Sudanese Embassy in Washington.

The “American street” has spoken. The Tax Day Tea Parties that took place across the country—including one here in Richmond that was well-attended despite a chilling rain—gave voice to the genuine anger, fear, and frustration felt by millions of Americans over the federal government’s profligacy. That profligacy is unprecedented in American history—and is not slowing down, but accelerating. George W. Bush increased spending faster than any other president before him. Barack Obama already is on track to shatter the record. Washington seems hell-bent on saddling future generations with ruinous debt, or equally ruinous taxation.