Freedom for Iran Comes to LA
Thousands of supporters came together Saturday, Nov. 19 in Hollywood during the latest demonstration to demand international support for the people of Iran. Since the death of Mahsa Amini, an Iranian woman who died under suspicious circumstances after allegedly wearing her hijab improperly, millions of Iranians around the globe have continued to rally and march in support of the protests in Iran. The protestors have called the dissolution of the current regime, recognition of human rights and democracy.
The rally marked the eighth week of Freedom for Iran in Los Angeles. The first rally marched from Pershing Square to Los Angeles City Hall on Oct. 1. Later demonstrations took place in Santa Monica, the University of California Los Angeles campus, Glendale, Orange County and Beverly Hills.
Hamed Sepehri is one of the many volunteer organizers who contribute personal funds and dedicate time to plan these rallies.
“The world should know that this current brutal regime is killing and murdering lots of people, especially kids, and that’s very, very disturbing,” he said.
Sepehri and other protestors do not believe the international community should collaborate with Iranian officials, and they continue to work for what they believe is a brighter future for the Iranian people.
“A democratic government voted by the people is established. That’s all we want to see,” Sepehri said. “We would like to see freedom, democracy, and human rights for everyone.”
The Hollywood rally dedicated itself to the remembrance of the Silent Massacre of November 2019, when Iranian officials raised the prices of gas sparking widespread protests. Iranian security officials tried to silence the various protests and in the process killed 1,500 people, while concealing news of the violence.
Kevin Robinson is an American who has shown his support for Iran in many of these rallies.
“These people didn’t choose to be born in [an] authoritarian, dictatorship, terrorist regime. The world needs to support these people,” Robinson said. “The only difference between any of us, between me and the Iranian people is my birthplace.”
