Iranian-Canadians and their supporters formed a human chain on both sides of Government Street Saturday, joining thousands across Canada and around the world calling for revolution in the Islamic Republic of Iran.
“Say her name: Mahsa Amini,” they chanted, remembering the 22-year-old who died on Sept. 16 after being detained by the country’s morality police. They declared her headscarf, or hijab, was inappropriate or too loose.
The young woman’s death incited weeks of demonstrations inside Iran. Human rights groups report that more than 200 people have been killed by Iranian security forces dispersing the crowds.
“Right now the people of Iran are fighting to get back their basic human rights. The Islamic regime is doing whatever they can to suppress these protests and the revolutionary movement,” said Vianna Tabasi, one of the protest organizers.
“They arrest people, torture them. They kill some people. They shoot people in the street. We are here to be their voice, to let all the people around the world know what’s happening there. The people inside Iran are so brave. And putting international pressure on the government can make a difference.”
Each demonstrator held up a photo of someone killed in the recent demonstrations.
Parisa, who was reluctant to give her last name out of fear for her safety, held up a photo of Dariush Alizade, a 30-year-old father who was shot to death in his car.
“He had honked his horn in support of the protesters. They shot him in the head,” she said.
Protesting in downtown Victoria is the least she could do to show her support for the brave women in Iran, she said. “We feel so powerless. It’s important for us to let the western governments know that the people of Iran don’t want this regime anymore so they should keep adding to the sanctions against the Iranian regime.”
Elsewhere, throngs of demonstrators lined the streets in 10 Canadian cities from Halifax to Vancouver as part of a worldwide “human chain” organized by the Association of Families of Flight PS752 Victims in solidarity with antigovernment protests in Iran.
In Ottawa, hundreds of protesters stomped their feet in unison and chanted Amini’s name outside the National Art Gallery.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was greeted with boisterous applause when he joined the crowd, along with chants urging action against the Iranian regime.
“We know there are people in Canada now who have benefited from the corrupt, from the horrific regime in Iran and who are hiding amongst … this beautiful community,” Trudeau said.
“Taking advantage of Canada’s freedoms, Canada’s opportunities, and using the riches they stole from the Iranian people to live a good life in Canada. Well, we say no more.”
The crowd responded to his comments with an uproarious cheer and chants of “Kick them out.”
The prime minister said his government will be working to make sure Canada is never again a safe haven for “killers, murderers, and those responsible for the oppression of Iranian people.”
After his speech, Trudeau led hundreds of protesters in a march across the Alexandra Bridge between Ottawa and Gatineau, Que.
The protesters stood shoulder to shoulder across the entire half-a-kilometre span of the provincial border crossing, where the prime minister joined in chanting “Justice in Iran” and “Stop killing in Iran.”
Earlier this month, Trudeau announced that more than 10,000 members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard will be forever barred from Canada as part of tough new immigration measures.
But some critics said the move was too little, too late.
The prime minister came under scrutiny from some in the Iranian community last month for not attending rallies in the immediate aftermath of Amini’s death. The critics pointed out the prime minister did, however, find time to go bungee jumping while other politicians stood in solidarity with their cause.
Toronto organizer Amirali Alavi called on Trudeau to back up his support for Saturday’s protest with substantive action, such as expelling Iran’s ambassador from Canada.
“We are here to ask our government and Canada to stand on the right side of history,” said Alavi, a board member of the Association of Families of Flight PS752 Victims. “Stop negotiating with the regime in Iran while people are fighting in the streets.”
In Vancouver, several thousand protesters lined the Lions Gate Bridge. “Woman, life, freedom” became the rallying cry that marked their signs and clothing.
Some were mothers, fathers and siblings of those who were killed when Flight 752 was shot down by the Iranian regime shortly after takeoff more than two years ago.
Beheshteh Rezapour choked back tears while speaking of her daughter, Bahareh, who was on the plane. She proudly wore a picture of the 33-year-old Toronto resident around her neck.
“They killed my beautiful daughter. I’m alive just for my son.” said the mother, who migrated to Canada last year with her family. For them, Toronto held too many memories of Bahareh. They chose to live in Vancouver.
“It was hard for us to live in the country that killed my sister. She was visiting us on Christmas holidays,” said Ali, 35. “The only goal we have now is to fight for justice.”
ldickson@timescolonist.com
— With files from The Canadian Press and the Vancouver Sun
