Iran: Support The Protests For Democracy

international | rights, freedoms and repression | press release

Monday June 22, 2009 16:58

by Chicherin - Hands Off the People of Iran

Protest in support of the Iranian Workers, Womens Rights Activists and Students

Saturday 27 June at 2pm at the Central Bank Plaza, Dame Street, Dublin 2.

Organised by Hands Off the People of Iran

June 20 saw the mass murder of demonstrators by security forces, it is unclear how many people are dead as estimates range from 11 to 150. With media outlets severely restricted it could be some time until we are given the true number. State organs such as Press TV have described the murdered protesters as “terrorists”.

HOPI received an eye witness report of Saturday’s violence:

"The demonstrations started in the centre around 4 o’clock the police had already settled in all the main squares and streets. We saw many members of Basij in plain clothing armed and ready to kill people. What happened was like 3500-4000 people would gather and form a demonstration start yelling out things like: “We did not give blood to give up now” and “Khamenei you Pinochet Iran is not going to be Chile”. But none of the gatherings could last long because the police would hit people and the Secret Police would shoot people, and members of Basij stabbed people.

People who lived in the neighbourhood left their doors open so injured people and the ones followed by the police could get in. It was the same in many other places, in Tehran at Tohid Square the police were in a bus and shot unarmed people from there, people who had came to the streets just to have a calm demonstration to defend their basic rights as citizens and human beings.

Many people are in hospital,the police are making a list of their names. Many activists were arrested and some have disappeared. Today the Islamic Republic showed once again, they are ready to kill as many as it takes to stay in power. Western Governments may try to meddle, their support is poisonous, the Iranian people will decide their fate alone, against imperialism and against the Islamic Republic. We do need the support of ordinary people across the world. The people showed that they want more than just tiny reforms, they want what has been taken away from them all these years, they want their freedom and their dignity back."

Fariba Talebi Iranian political activist and member of HOPI Ireland said:

“we are making a stand in support of the millions in Iran who are in revolt against the Islamic regime. People voted to get rid of Ahmadinejad and are outraged that it did not work. But Moussavi is no friend of the movement. I hope that people can create their own leadership from the struggle”.

Anne McShane Chair of HOPI Ireland said:

"At this stage it is important to continue to oppose sanctions and any Imperialist intervention. Sanctions have made the plight of the Iranian working class worse and even more impoverished. They are an act of war, just like in Iraq.The US can only play a negative role, as we have seen all too clearly in the terrible situations in Afghanistan and Iraq. The struggle of the Iranian people must be supported by the working class throughout the world and we must stand firmly against any imperialist interference. Regime Change must come from within and below."

Senator David Norris said:

"I know from direct experience how warm and courteous the Iranian people are and how cruel is the regime that governs them. In shame if for no other reason "President" Ahmadinejad should keep his mouth firmly shut on the subject of human rights until he learns something about what this phrase means."

Des Derwin Executive Committee, Dublin Council of Trade Unions said:

"All Irish workers should support the demonstrations in Iran and condemn the savage attacks on the protesters. The struggle for democracy is in the interest of the Iranian Trade Labour Movement, at present independent Trade Unions are banned in Iran and workers are regularly flogged for organising strikes."

Ends

Contact Anne on 086 2343 238
or at anne@hopoi.info

http://www.hopi-Ireland.org

22 June 2009

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Text of leaflet

by Chicherin

Tue Jun 23, 2009 17:50

Text of HOPI leaflet for demo.

Hands off the People of Iran’ calls for solidarity with the masses in revolt against the Islamic regime! No illusions in Moussavi!

No to imperialist intervention!

Demonstrate Saturday 27th June at 2.00pm Central Bank Plaza, Dame Street Dublin 2.

Join us in showing solidarity with the masses in Iran who have taken to the streets in outrage against the rigged elections. This is a revolt against a deeply repressive state. The situation is on a knife-edge. The foundations of the Islamic Republic regime are shaking.

We in Hands Off the People of Iran utterly condemn the brutal crackdown against the opposition movement in Iran. We stand against the vicious killing of protestors and the use of water cannon, tear gas and intimidation against demonstrators. We protest against the deliberate targeting of leading radicals in the students' and workers' movement, many of whom have been arrested or ‘disappeared’. We call for the immediate unconditional release of prisoners, for the withdrawal of state forces from the streets, for the lifting of the ban on reporting and restrictions on internet and mobile phone use.

The rebellion is a manifestation of the deep discontent within society. There is great anger at the lack of democracy and the level of repression that people have had to endure for the last 30 years. The blatantly rigged election was just the spark. There is fury against Ahmadinejad for his arrogance and corruption. But many people are now also rebelling against Ayatollah Khamenei. Khamenei’s behaviour in threatening the demonstrators with bloodshed if they continue their protests has left them in no doubt as to whose side he is on. Many, especially the young, are against the whole system of the Islamic Republic - which has always been undemocratic and corrupt to its very core.

Real democracy must come from the struggle from below. It cannot be delivered through the theocrats, whether they happen to be Ahmadinejad, Moussavi or Karoubi. Neither should there be a return to a monarchy – the Shah himself imprisoned tortured and killed thousands of democrats and working class activists.

Vitally we stand, as we have always done, against sanctions or interference from imperialism and against the threat of war. The US and its allies cannot deliver democracy – the experience of Afghanistan and Iraq is testimony to the terrible consequences of US intervention.It is up to the people of Iran to take things into their own hands.

It is up to the working class and progressives throughout the world to make solidarity with their cause. It is time for a second, democratic revolution in Iran.

Contact Anne on 086 2343 238 or at anne@hopoi.org

http://www.hopi-Ireland.org