NYC Rally, Defend Human Rights in Iran

June 30, 2009 - PRLog -- Student World Assembly partnered with Amnesty International to hold a rally in support of the Iranian people’s right to peaceful protest and freedom of speech. The rally was also held in condemnation of the incidence of violence against peaceful demonstrators and the continued imprisonment of political prisoners and human rights activists.
The contested Iranian elections of June 12th have unleashed a wave of peaceful protests across the country, including a succession of enormous rallies in Tehran attended by hundreds of thousands of Iranians from all walks of life. The Iranian government’s reaction has been a massive crackdown on freedom of expression, including the complete silencing of any independent media. The Iranian authorities have attempted to stop the flow of information both among Iranians and from Iranians to those outside by blocking cell phone communication, text messaging and email. In addition, police officers and pro-government militias have used violence against protesters, leading to at least eight confirmed deaths. Reports indicate that large numbers of people were severely beaten by riot police. Furthermore, over 100 people are reported to have been arrested.

Despite thunderstorms, approximately 500 people turned out for the event to support human rights in Iran following the contested June 12th elections. People from the New York area attended, wearing green and holding signs with slogans such as "The People United, Can Never Be Defeated". Rally participants stood around the statue of Columbus, overlooking New York's Central Park.

Speeches were delivered by Larry Cox, Executive Director of Amnesty International USA, who emphasized the need to free political prisoners and pressure the Iranian government to uphold basic rights, such as freedom of speech. Chris Hedges, author, journalist and Pulitzer Prize winner for his work with the New York Times, gave insight into Iran’s history and the background of the 1979 revolution leading up to the events taking place today. Elizabeth Holtzman, former U.S. Congresswoman to New York strongly condemned the actions of the Iranian government towards to protester in her speech, and reasserted the need to uphold human rights in Iran. Reza Fakhari, Chairman of SWA and Associate Provost of Kingsborough Community College also spoke at the rally. He discussed the critical role of student activism in the protests in Iran. He also brought a different perpective of Iran, from the view of an Iranian American.

The rally also included speeches from Jeff Buckman, Chair of the board of Directors for Amnesty International USA, Hadi Ghaemi from the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, and Elahe Sharifpour, Bitta Mostofi from the Partners for Rights, and Human Rights Activist and Bitta Mostofi.

Between the speeches supporters chanted in unison, “The people united will never be defeated” and “What do we want? Freedom! When do we want it? Now!” among other chants.

The rally included a song performance compiled by Iranian members from two bands including Hypernova, and 127. The band members arrived at the rally straight from the studio after recording the song, “Erase Your Name”, in response to the leader’s committing violent acts in Iran. The performance was followed by a candlelight vigil to remember and honor those that have been killed by the police brutality in Iran. The rally ended with the release of an array of green balloons, supporting the Iranian freedom struggle.

Shahram Hashemi, Executive Director of Student World Assembly and Treasurer of Amnesty International discussed the importance of the rally, "Millions of Iranians are crying for democracy and respect for human rights, instead their rights are being violated by their own government. This rally was an attempt to do our part to show the Iranian people that we fully support their cause, hear their cries, and mourn the men and women who have been killed along with them."

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The Student World Assembly is a non-governmental, non partisan organization created to represent students globally. Students around the world can exchange views, vote on global issues, and translate these views into meaningful actions with SWA's guidance.