CANADA WIDE SOLIDARITY PROTESTS
'We are here to be their voice': Thousands rally in Toronto in support of Iranian protesters
Thousands attend 'The Time Has Come' rally
Tens of thousands of people gathered in Toronto for a rally in support of Iranian protesters who are facing violent government crackdown.
Toronto rally held in support of Iran protesters
Thousands march through the streets of downtown in solidarity with protesters in Iran demanding human rights and democracy.
CP24.com, Staff
Published Saturday, October 22, 2022
Thousands of people marched through the streets of downtown Toronto on Saturday afternoon in solidarity with protesters in Iran who have been subjected to a violent government crackdown.
They gathered at Queen's Park at around 2 p.m. and subsequently made their way to Nathan Phillips Square, chanting and carrying flags and signs that included "Stand with the people of Iran," "Say no to dictatorship in Iran," "Say Her Name, Mahsa Amini," and "Women, Life, Freedom."
Called "The Time Has Come," the rally organized by the International Centre for Human Rights is one of the several that took place worldwide on Saturday. Similar demonstrations were held in U.S. and European cities condemning the actions of the Iranian government.
PHOTO
Thousands gather at Queen's Park for 'The Time Has Come' rally in support of Iranian protesters. (Patrick Darrah/CTV News)
Protests have erupted across the Middle Eastern country following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who was taken into custody by Iran's morality police after she allegedly wore her mandatory Islamic headscarf too loose.
According to several human rights groups, Iran's security forces have killed 200 people while dispersing demonstrations using live ammunition and tear gas.
"We are here in solidarity with brave Iranian women. They are on the streets and protesting against the regime. We are here to be their voice," said Mehrzad Zarei, one of the organizers of the Toronto rally.
"We are here to say the Islamic regime must go."
Zarei's son was one of the 176 people killed on board the Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 when it was struck by surface-to-air missile fired by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a branch of Iran's military.
He said the thousands who attended the rally are sending a strong message to women back in Iran that they are not alone in their fight.
"We are standing with them. We will do everything in our power to be their voice."
Earlier this month, a similar rally was held in Richmond Hill that approximately more than 50,000 people attended.
The violent crackdown on protesters has prompted Ottawa to bar more than half of the Revolutionary Guard from entering the country and impose restrictions on several Iranian officials.
Kimia Bakhshi echoed the sentiments of many people who attended the rally – she wants to be a voice for the people back in Iran who are dying while fighting for their freedom.
"We escaped our country. We came to a better place to be their voice to fight for them -- people who are suppressed in Iran, people who go to prison, people who die only because they're talking about their rights," Bakhshi said.
Her fellow demonstrator, who has family in Iran and fears for their safety, said she was at the rally to add her voice and help those being persecuted in her country.
"Everyone I love is being killed, slaughtered by the government in the streets… I have to be their voice because I had the chance to escape, but they don't have that chance," she said.
She believes a revolution in Iran is the only way to bring change.
"The government does not have the right to kill our teenagers, our girls, our boys, our kids, everyone," she said.
- with files from The Associated Press
Thousands march through Toronto for women's rights in Iran
“I say to our politicians: take the side of humanity": demonstrator Reza who hopes Canada further punishes Iran
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A massive demonstration – appearing to number in the thousands – calling for an end to the Islamic regime in Iran took place in downtown Toronto Saturday.
“We didn’t expect this number of people. But the people are just trying to show to the world their hatred of the Islamic regime in Iran,” said a woman named Marges, who did not wish to share her last name.
She painted her hands red – a symbol, she said, of the blood spilled daily by the Iranian regime.
“The government in Iran is trying to kill and arrest demonstrators unfortunately,” she said, as the crowd chanted for women’s rights and for an end to the Islamic government.
The march from Queen’s Park to Nathan Phillips Square was one of several held around the world – including in Germany and in Iran itself.
Anti-government protests were sparked in Iran on Sept. 17 at the funeral of Mahsa Amini, 22, in her Kurdish town of Saqez.
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Amini was arrested in Tehran on Sept. 13 by its “morality police” for wearing “inappropriate attire.”
She died three days later at a Tehran hospital.
A state coroner’s report said Amini died from pre-existing medical conditions.
Her family holds the police responsible for her death, saying doctors believe she was beaten while in custody.
The demonstrations have become the biggest challenge to Iran’s clerical leaders in recent years, with protesters calling for the downfall of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Toronto friends Reza, from Iran, and Tahra, from Afghanistan, attended Saturday’s rally.
“I came today to support Iranian people because I am from Afghanistan,” said Tahra. “If change comes to Iran, I think it will affect Afghanistan.”
Reza said he was impressed with the turnout and hopes it sends a signal to Western governments to further punish the Iranian government.
“I say to our politicians: take the side of humanity,” said Reza, who has two sisters still living in Iran. “Of course we are all worried about them.”
Global Day of Action for Iran: Rally in Support of Iranian People
Manitoba
University students in Winnipeg host protest against Iranian regime
Around 100 people gathered at The Forks on Saturday
The University of Manitoba Iranian Students' Association hosted a rally outside the Canadian Museum For Human Rights in Winnipeg on Saturday to protest the current Iranian government regime.
"This movement is not against Islam, this movement is not an Islamophobic movement," said association president Pouya Farokhzad, who was involved in organizing the rally.
"We are against a regime that uses Islam to oppress people."
At least 100 people attended Saturday's rally, which coincided with a similar event in Berlin and rallies elsewhere in Canada and around the world.
The movement was sparked after the in-custody death of 22-year-old Masha Amini, who had been detained in Tehran for allegedly wearing her headscarf inappropriately.
Head scarves for women in Iran — regardless of creed — have been mandatory as per the country's strict dress code enforced since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
In Berlin, nearly 40,000 people gathered turned out to show solidarity for the women and activists leading the movement for the past few weeks in Iran.
The protests in Germany's capital, organized by the Woman* Life Freedom Collective, began at the Victory Column in Berlin's Tiergarten park and continued as a march through central Berlin.
Some demonstrators there said they had come from elsewhere in Germany and other European countries to show their support.
Iran's nationwide anti-government protest movement first focused on the country's mandatory hijab covering for women following Amini's death on Sept. 16.
The demonstrations there have since transformed into the greatest challenge to the Islamic Republic since the 2009 Green Movement over disputed elections.
In Tehran on Saturday, more anti-government protests took place at several universities.
Members of the Iranian community in Manitoba have held a number of rallies against the Iranian regime in the weeks following Amini's death.
"The thing that we are looking for is a regime change … basically every kind of human rights is under attack right now in Iran," Farokhzad said.
University of Winnipeg student Ershiya Bagheri, who was also involved in organizing Saturday's rally, recently moved to Canada from Iran and has been unable to communicate with friends and family back home as internet services have been disrupted.
Bagheri has found support in Winnipeg's Iranian community, and by getting involved in local protests.
"I was feeling that Iranian diasporas need to do something so that the world outside Iran can also hear us and support us," she said.
"I want to continue fighting so that everyone can hear the women of Iran."
With files from Donna Lee and The Associated Press
PEI
Charlottetown protest shows support for women in Iran
Demonstration one of many around the world since death of Mahsa Amini
Dozens of people gathered in downtown Charlottetown on Saturday to speak out against women's rights issues in Iran.
Protests have been happening in Iran and around following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini on Sept. 16.
Amini died following her arrest by Iran's morality police in Tehran for allegedly wearing her mandatory headscarf too loosely, which would violate the country's strict dress code enforced since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
None of the protesters in Charlottetown felt safe to speak to CBC P.E.I. on camera, fearing repercussions for loved ones in Iran. CBC is protecting their identity by not showing photos of their faces.
Protesters held signs with messages of freedom and support for women and people from the LGBTQ community. They said it is their duty to keep the conversation going for those who can't speak out.
By Karla Renić Global News
Posted October 22, 2022
Nearly 200 people gathered on the Halifax waterfront on Saturday in solidarity with Iranians who are protesting their government regime's ongoing oppression of women.
Nearly 200 people gathered on the Halifax waterfront on Saturday in solidarity with Iranians who are protesting their government regime’s ongoing oppression of women.
Speaker Atefah Tabash said at the rally they ask the Canadian government to ensure that no person affiliated with Iran’s regime benefits from the immigration system.
“We love our Canada, we want it to stay safe,” the speaker said.
“We urge the government to draft practical solutions to this problem, and help the hardworking Iranian community to be safe in Canada.”
It’s been five weeks since the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish-Iranian woman who was captured for not wearing her hijab properly, as dictated by the country’s regime. She died after falling into a coma while in the custody of Iran’s “morality police” on Sept. 16. Her death has caused many to take to the street as citizens call for democracy and an overthrow of the government.
READ MORE: New protests erupt in Iranian city that was scene of bloody crackdown
Witnesses said antigovernment protests erupted at several universities in Tehran amid heavy security on Saturday as the world observed a Global Day of Action. Protests were held in several cities across Canada.
Halifax West Member of Parliament Lena Diab also attended Saturday’s rally on the waterfront, saying the federal government supports Iranian protestors.
“My heart is with you, and all of your friends, families and loved ones — especially those who are still in Iran,” said Diab.
“The outrageous violence being perpetrated during this crackdown is disgusting and it must stop.”
Diab said she has heard stories from Iranians across the province and in Ottawa about the brutality towards those who demand basic rights.
“I’ve heard that even in Halifax we must do more to stop the Iranian regime’s global campaign of intimidation,” she said.
Diab said Canada’s government is using its voice on the international stage to ensure countries are in sync with one common goal: “to ban the (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) from coming to Canada and other countries.”
READ MORE: Canada announces new Iran sanctions amid protests over Mahsa Amini death
Canada’s Minister of Immigration and Citizenship Sean Fraser said at the rally there are half a million Iranians in Canada, and “it’s time that we show we’re standing alongside them, not just with our words.”
Fraser said there a number of sanctions have been lobbied against officials within the Iranian regime.
“The immigration measures we put in place do not just apply to the IRGC, but senior officials across every aspect of the regime, who will no longer be able to come to Canada,” Fraser said.
“Those who may enjoy their status here now, we are not afraid to revoke it, to remove them if need be.”
Fraser said the government will do anything it can “to hold the regime accountable,” and will ensure the safety of those who are speaking against it in Canada.
Speaker Flora Riyahi told the Halifax crowd they are gathered there to “say ‘no'” to gender segregation.
“‘No’ to a regime that does not respect the demand of its people; ‘no’ to violently crashing legitimate protests; ‘no’ to unexplained deaths at custody.”
Riyahi said, “‘yes’ to hope.”
— With files from Heidi Lee and The Associated Press.
Hafsa Arif
CTVNewsAtlantic.ca Video Journalist
Published Oct. 22, 2022
More than a hundred people gathered at the Halifax waterfront Saturday in part of the many protests happening across Canada in support of Iranians.
Crowds chanted 'women, life, freedom' as they voice concerns for Iranians while also condemning the Iranian government.
"They are chanting down with the dictator, down with the Islamic Republic of Iran. They’re chanting for freedom and democracy. Here in Canada, what we’re trying to do is pressure our elected officials," said Nazanin Afshin-Jam Mackay, who is an advocate.
While the Canadian government has applied sanction against the Iranian regime officials, protestors say they want more.
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A Nova Scotia vigil for Mahsa Amini
"We are asking to add the IRGC entity into the terrorist group and not to let them into the country. For those that are in the country, we want them to get out," said Ateefeh Tabesh, one of the organizers of the protest.
According to Iran’s Human Rights Activist News Agency, 12,000 people have been arrested since the protests began last month. Ottawa says it will be taking action.
"The immigrations measures that we put in place do not just apply to the IRGC, but also the senior officials across every aspect of the regime who will no longer be able to come to Canada. Those who may enjoy the status here now, we are not afraid to revoke it and to removed them if need be," said Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration.
Many protestors say they are risking their safety, as well as the safety of their families back home by attending the protest.
"Their information is being shared with regime officials and from there, these officials harass the families of those that still have family there," said Afshin-Jam Mackay.
A global protest in support of Iranians is scheduled to take place next week.
Protests for women’s right in Iran at Saskatchewan legislature
By Andrew Benson Global News
Updated October 23, 2022
Over 100 community members gathered outside the Saskatchewan Legislative Building Saturday and showed their support for justice and human rights in the Iranian culture.
As protests rage in Iran for women’s rights, Regina residents are doing their part to show support.
Over 100 community members gathered outside the Saskatchewan Legislative Building Saturday to rally for justice, women’s rights and human rights in Iran.
“Our brothers and sisters back home are fighting whole-heartedly with bare hands against the Islamic regime,” said Shiva Souri, an Iranian student who has been living in Canada for the last year and a half.
“This is the only thing we can do as an outside country because we do have the privilege to speak with our voices and talk on their behalf and ask people who have the power to tell the world what is happening in Iran.”
Iranians have been actively protesting the Islamic regime for over month now and during this time, the regime has shut down the internet in the entire country, arrested protestors, and killed hundreds of people, some as young as 15-years-old.
“I might put my family in danger because we have attended a protest,” when talking about the hold the regime has not just in Iran, but out of the country as well,” said Souri. “We are under pressure, we are buckled up and under stress every single morning that we wake up.”
While anger against the regime was strong for Souri this weekend, she also feels and immense amount of pride.
“I feel not helpless anymore,” she said. “I feel like I have a mountain behind me and each one of us feels the same. Our voicees will make action.”
For Zahra Mansoureh Darzi, an Iranian woman who has been in Canada for 31 years, it’s hard for people from Canada to fully understand the control the regime has on Iranian people, but protests like today’s start to slowly educate people.
“If you want to take your dog outside, you don’t have that freedom,” Darzi said. “If I want to dance or I want to sing… that is not permitted under the Islamic regime. So many small things beyond our imagination here that we can’t believe.”
Darzi’s husband was executed in 1998 when she was just two months’ pregnant, after he spoke against the regime sending 15-year-olds into war. It is something on the top of her mind throughout the protest.
“He was only asking for freedom and justice. They killed him because they were afraid of the truth coming out. I can’t even express my feeling in that moment.”
For both Darzi and Souri, the final sentiment about what needs to happen was the same.
“The one and only solution is revolution,” Souri said.
Gerry Dewan
CTV News London Reporter
Published Oct. 22, 2022
Protestors opposing the Iranian government gathered in London’s Victoria Park Saturday afternoon, continuing the calls for reform in the Islamic republic.
Organizers of the rally say it's vital to keep the pressure on the government.
About 300 people gathered at the entrance to park, filling the air with chants, including "women, life, freedom" and "down with dictators."
One organizer expected the gathering to be larger and worries there's a narrative being spread that the protests are opposing Islam.
"This has nothing to do with religion. This has nothing to do with what you believe. This has nothing to with if you want to wear a hijab or if you don't want to wear a hijab," says Sara. Like many demonstrators who have family in Iran, she only uses her first name for fear of reprisals. She says the protests are about basic human rights, "This has more to it. This about that of your part of the LGBTQ community, if you're gay, you're lesbian, you're a bisexual. Like, as a woman, your voice won't count."
Protests started in Iran hours after a 22-year-old woman died after being taken into custody by Iran's so-called morality police.
It's been more than a month since Mahsa Amini lost her life and since that time there have been persistent protests, both in Iran and around the world."
"I have experienced everything there and I can very well feel this could happen to me," says Pari. She left Iran when she was 25. She says Amini's death had a profound effect on her bringing back to mind the fear and anxiety she lived with, "The moment you go out of your house anything could happen to you because of the way you are dressed."
Speaking of her feelings when she thinks of Amini’s death she says, "First you are full of sorrow, but then you are full of rage."
Canadian educator Greg Janes has been to the Middle East but never to Iran. He says watching citizens of that country take a stand against oppression is what brought him out to the demonstration at Victoria Park, "It's been going on for a month and people are still going out. Once people are willing to give up their lives to make change, I think we all need to support that."
London Rally - Saturday October 22, 2022 (Gerry Dewan/CTV News London)
Hundreds rally in support of Iranian protesters in downtown Kitchener
Hannah Schmidt
CTV News Kitchener Videographer
Published Oct. 22, 2022
Iranian-Canadians in Waterloo region are rallying in support of protests in Iran.
The protests were sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini while she was detained by the country’s morality police for allegedly wearing her headscarf too loosely.
From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, an event dubbed Freedom Rally For Iran was held in downtown Kitchener. More than 400 people attended.
One speaker said the event is part of an international call to action to bring the community together and show loved ones in Iran they have support.
“Everybody is standing together and stating that they're tired of this oppressive regime. They have not been able to do anything economically or socially for the people of Iran for the past 40 years and they need to go. That's the message," said rally speaker Pooneh Bolourchi.
Bolourchi said there are plans for continued demonstrations of support throughout the region, meant to give a voice to those who may not be able to speak out.
“We're going to continue to support and be the voice of voiceless people in Iran. They're honestly walking on the streets, bare-handed and facing war weapons, and the Islamic regime and their police are just opening fire on people."
Rally participants gathered at Kitchener City Hall and then made their way to Victoria Park in solidarity with those protesting Amini’s death. Rally-goers were seen carrying signs reading “Women, Life, Freedom,” as well as posters of Amini.
Amini died in hospital on Sept. 17 and protests in support of her have followed – first in Iran and then globally.
Around 50,000 people attended a rally in Toronto earlier this month. Another took place in the city Saturday.
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