Video: McCain hails ‘Neda’ as a martyr

Over the weekend, the death of an Iranian protester named Neda has galvanized international support for opponents of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Graphic video of her death (WARNING: I’m serious about the “graphic” part) was posted on YouTube after she was reportedly shot by Iranian police.

Today, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) praised Neda’s courage during a speech on the House floor.

“An event took place which may be the defining moment, just yesterday, in the struggle of the Iranian people to be able to peacefully disagree with their government, in this case because of a corrupt and fraudulent election, without being killed in the streets and beaten and imprisoned,” McCain said. “And it has to do with a woman named Neda.”

After quoting form an AP article on Neda’s death, McCain added: “We’ve seen, as we have in cases of other brutal repression throughout history, a living example, or the dying example, of martyrdom.”