Richmond Hill march draws 1,000 in solidarity with Iran protesters
CBC
More than 1,000 demonstrators gathered in Richmond Hill, Ont., Saturday to show solidarity to protesters in Iran, fighting against the country’s financial collapse and the regime that led to it.
Soheila Zarrabi, who joined the 12 p.m. demonstration at Yonge Street and 16th Avenue, said the ongoing protests are different than any others before.
"This revolution is a real revolution. And it's not about economy. It is about freedom," she told CBC Toronto Saturday. "They want to have the voice, they want to control their own country."
According to The Associated Press, at least 65 people have been killed in the protests that started in late December over the economy and have turned into demonstrations against the government.
The son of Iran's exiled shah, Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, has positioned himself in favour of the protests, calling for demonstrations Thursday and Friday night.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has said the protesters, who state media have called "terrorists," are acting "in order to please the president of the United States."
The Associated Press said the government cut off the internet and has blocked international calls. More than 2,300 people have been detained.
Lily Pourzand, an Iranian community activist and expert in women's rights, said the mandate from protesters is clear.
"[Iranians] are done with this system and they want the regime and the system to be changed," she said Saturday. "They are sacrificing their life and freedom for that."
Internet blackout has been historically used as a weapon, Pourzand said.
"It's not about the luxury now, it's about human rights, it's about the safety and it's about their voice, which needs to be heard and the footage that needs to be seen by the whole world," she said.
"We know that the violence is going to escalate, the stories are going to be twisted and in reality it's the people who are going to lose their lives."
Salar Gholami, who helped organize the march in Richmond Hill, said he hasn’t heard from his parents and siblings, who are back in Iran.
"We are so sad and mad," he said.
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More than 1,000 demonstrators gathered in Richmond Hill, Ont., Saturday to show solidarity to protesters in Iran, fighting against the country’s financial collapse and the regime that led to it.
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