Iranian-Americans March in DC for a Free Iran

Written by Staff Writer on 21 June 2019.

Iranian-Americans are joining a solidarity march for a free Iran today in Washington. The event will kick off with a large gathering outside the U.S. State Department, and the supporters of a free Iran will march all the way down to the White House. The march supports the anti-regime protests in Iran and the 10-point plan of Iranian opposition leader Maryam Rajavi. Supporters of the democratic opposition People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI or MEK) say that regime change by the Iranian people is the ultimate solution for peace in the region. We are live tweeting the event beginning 11am local time.

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13.30: Chants by Iranian-Americans at the ‘Free Iran’ rally in Washington DC:

“Down with terrorist regime in Iran”

“Regime change in Iran”

“Democracy, freedom, with Maryam Rajavi”

“Rajavi yes, mullahs no; they are terrorists, they must go.”

13.00: The Iranian-Americans are now beginning their march from the State Department to the White House in solidarity with protesters in Iran who seek a free Iran.

12.50: Senator John Cornyn sent a message to the Washington “Free Iran” rally:

“As recent events have demonstrated, the Iranian authoritarian government is a dangerous and destabilizing regional influence that rules its people with an iron fist, suppressing their individual rights and subjecting them to humanitarian abuse. As the largest State sponsor of terror in the world, Iran has bankrolled terrorist organizations that have waged war and undermined regional stability for decades,” said Sen. John Cornyn to the Washington gathering.

“In order to help the Iranian people, I believe that it is important for the United States to support the Administration’s ‘maximum pressure policy.’ A policy that promotes freedom and individual rights of the people while taking every step necessary to liberate them from the regime’s oppressive rule.”

12.45: Senator Bob Menendez sent a message to the Washington “Free Iran” rally:

“Unfortunately, across the Middle East, Iran continues to threaten the national security and interests of the United States. It continues to pursue a belligerent, ballistic missile program,” said Sen. Bob Menendez to the Washington demonstration.

“The people of Iran suffer under a repressive regime with absolutely no respect for basic human rights and no economic investment in their welfare… I will always support justice and human rights, peace and security and above all else, the rights of all Iranians to fundamental freedoms.”

Iranian-American youths are showing their support for the Mujahedin Khalq (MEK)

12:35: Iranian-American youths are showing their support for the Mujahedin Khalq (MEK):

“We are the voices of the Iranian youth being silenced by the Iranian regime. We will not be silenced. The Iranian regime is the only country in the world that continues to execute children,” said Sadaf Mirzai. “We stand with the leader of the Iranian Resistance Massoud Rajavi, who has inspired my generation. We support the MEK’s Resistance Units who are the harbingers of a brighter future. We support Maryam Rajavi’s ten-point plan for a free Iran.”

Aideen Seyedian, another member of the Iranian-American youth delegation, discussed the plight of youth back in Iran.

“4.5 million university graduates are unemployed. Some 80 percent of Iran’s young population is living under poverty. The youth are continuing their uprising. Our message is the same as that of Iranian youth: There are no reformists in this regime. We call for an end to this theocratic regime. We stand with the MEK’s Resistance Units and Mrs. Maryam Rajavi,” he said.

Governor Bill Richardson

12.15: Governor Bill Richardson is addressing MEK supporters at the Washington “Free Iran” rally:

“The strength of the movement of support is bi-partisan,” said Governor Bill Richardson at the Washington rally.

“We need a new regime, and that regime is you, the MEK, the NCRI, the alternative. It’s a strong organization, with a lot of confidence and commitment and leadership abilities. The top leader, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, is a great leader. The platform, what you stand for, a free Iran, democracy. You have a platform, a plan. You take risks. The MEK takes risks, being targeted in Europe, in America, for freedom, for democracy. Taking on the regime, talking about the issues in Iran. What you represent is the future. You have international support. You’re on the right side of history,” he said.

“[Mrs. Rajavi’s] ten-point plan sounds like America, it sounds like democracy. If there’s a free Iran and a free election, this is what will happen,” Gov. Richardson added in support of Mrs. Rajavi’s ten-point plan for a future Iran.

General Jack Keane

12.00: General Jack Keane is now addressing the MEK supporters outside the State Department:

“2018 was a major turning point for Iran. The U.S. pulled out of the nuclear deal and for the first time in 39 years put Iran on notice… Using proxies must stop. Building ballistic missiles must stop. Spreading terrorism must stop. And you must stop repressing your people,” said Gen. Jack Keane at the Washington rally.

“The U.S. has imposed the toughest sanctions against the Iranian regime in 39 years. The U.S. designated the IRGC as a terrorist organization… Iran’s economy is in recession. The currency is devaluing. Unemployment is skyrocketing. There’s food shortage. And the people of Iran are correctly blaming the mullahs,” he added.

“Iran’s provocations have two purposes: To pressure the U.S. to remove the sanctions, and to convince the countries of the region that the U.S. will not protect them. Both will fail,” Gen. Keane continued.

The retired general listed the Iranian regime’s terrorist activities against U.S. troops in the Middle East and its support for the Syrian regime, Hamas and Hezbollah, and the disruption of shipping lanes and oil.

Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the Iranian Resistance

11.50: Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the Iranian Resistance is addressing the Free Iran march in Washington via a video message:

To fend off the people’s fury, for forty years, the murderous mullahs have pointed their fingers at the U.S. as the enemy. But we were not deceived. As Massoud Rajavi has said: “When we declared ‘down with the reactionaries,’ we stood by it. We have and will continue to declare that what we seek is the regime’s overthrow, overthrow, overthrow.”
Now, the people of Iran cry out in every street and alley that “our enemy is right here; the mullahs lie when they say America is the enemy.”
Indeed, this is a regime whose Constitution has formally replaced people’s sovereignty and universal suffrage with the rule of the mullahs.

The medieval mullahs tell the Resistance’s freedom fighters and Army of Freedom:

Give up and surrender, otherwise you are infidels and pagans who wage war on God. You are agents of the Global Arrogance; you are a sect and you do not have a place or any base of support among the people in Iran.

Do not resist, otherwise you are terrorists. Otherwise, you are going to be deluged by fake allegations.

Yes, the disgraceful demonization campaign against the Iranian Resistance in the pro-appeasement media seeks to perpetuate the narrative that the people of Iran are better off with the theocratic rule of the mullahs; There is no alternative, and don’t even think or talk about it.

Their conclusion is:

The religious fascism must be appeased and there are no other options.

Now, if the U.S. administration does not appease the mullahs’ tyranny, it would be a warmonger.

If the U.S. obstructs the Iranian regime’s path toward nuclear weapons, it would be a warmonger.

The absurd comments made by the mullahs and their Foreign Minister about the so-called “B Team” in the United States was a bid to hide their own “bomb” team: From developing a nuclear bomb to bombings in Albania and France, to bombings and planting of mines on oil tankers in the Persian Gulf, to the explosions, drones and missile attacks on Saudi Arabia and targeting of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.

When the mullahs pay no price for their conduct, they become more emboldened and go even further. Firing of rockets in Mosul and Basra and the missile attack on the U.S. drone are clear examples.

Republican Congressman Tom McClintock

11.40: Republican Congressman Tom McClintock tells the ‘Free Iran’ march at the State Department:

“The Iranian freedom movement has grown dramatically. As the tyranny of the mullahs has become more extreme, the international resistance has become more resolute.

Iran has been oppressed and plundered by a gang of thugs who have appointed themselves as the rulers of the country. Their claim to power is illegitimate and their time is approaching. Their desperation is showing at home and abroad.

Their wanton attacks against dissidents abroad, their hostility toward their neighbors, and their unprovoked attack on an American drone are signs of desperation and panic.”

Addressing the supporters of the People’s Mojahedin (Mujahedeen-e Khalq, MEK), Rep. McClintock said: The entire free world has witnessed your struggle. Your fortitude and courage is inspiring the admiration of the world. You’re writing the next chapter of human civilization.

Democratic Congressman Rep. Brad Sherman

11.30: Democratic Congressman Rep. Brad Sherman is now addressing the Washington “Free Iran” rally:

This is a regime known for mass executions, jailing of journalists, and spreading terrorism in the region.

We stand in solidarity with brave Iranians who are fighting for a new chapter in the history of this great nation. This chapter will be written by Iranians.

This regime may be on its last legs. It is acting with desperation to distract people from its corruption.

I commend Madame. Maryam Rajavi for her advocacy of democracy and equality.

The U.S. Justice Department has charged two agents of the Iranian regime for its collecting of intelligence of Iranian opposition members here in Washington. I’m sure their agents are watching our videos now. Let them see the future of Iran.

I look forward to the day we see free elections in Iran.

Former U.S. Senator Robert Torricelli

11.20: Former U.S. Senator Robert Torricelli is now addressing the ‘Free Iran’ march outside the State Department:
“We’re here to remind our friends in this building and the White House that there are some things about the regime that must be remembered. There is no reforming the mullahs in Tehran.”

Torricelli iterated a list of the regime’s terrorist activities and human rights violations, including the execution of dissidents, bombing of U.S. bases in Middle East countries and the recent downing of a U.S. drone.

He added: “Terrorists don’t reform! The reality is the mullahs will never change, they will develop nuclear weapons, they will spread terror. We need regime change and we need it now!

Where will new leadership come? It will come from the millions of people in Iran and abroad. The people of Iran are talented and educated. They can run their country in freedom. They don’t need the mullahs to run their country.

Join with us in ending this terror. Let Iran be free!

To our friends in Europe and UN: If Iran were a nation in Europe, you wouldn’t tolerate the mullahs for a minute because of their executions, the torture and death. Do the people of Iran deserve less because they don’t live in Europe?

To Secretary Pompeo: Stand for the best of the Iranian people, who want a better future for their children.”

11.10: Representatives of Iranian-American associations are addressing the ‘Free Iran’ gathering outside the U.S. State Department. They insist the mullahs’ regime does not speak for the people of Iran. Instead, they say, the opposition movement led by Mrs. Maryam Rajavi is the true representative of the Iranian people.

11.05: Amir Emadi, a spokesperson for the Organization of Iranian-American Communities (OIAC): “With this comes the recognition of an alternative to the Iranian regime. Mrs Maryam Rajavi and the NCRI have demonstrated leadership, a significant network and the organizational capabilities to free Iran. We support Mrs. Maryam Rajavi in her 10-point plan for a free, democratic and non-nuclear Iran.”

Amir Emadi, a spokesperson for the Organization of Iranian-American Communities (OIAC)

11.00: Amir Emadi, a spokesperson for the Organization of Iranian-American Communities (OIAC), welcomes participants to the ‘Free Iran’ march in Washington. Emadi urged the U.S. State Department to designate the Iranian regime’s Intelligence Ministry (MOIS) as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO). The U.S. added the regime’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) to its FTO list in April 2019, and Iranians across the world have been calling for the MOIS designation as a complementary step to help stop Tehran’s notorious apparatuses of terror.

10.50: The Iranian-American protesters are chanting their support for the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) and the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK), the main opposition and democratic alternative to the tyrannical rule of Tehran’s mullahs.

10.40: A large number of Iranian-American supporters of the main democratic opposition group People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI, also known as the Mujahedin-e Khalq or MEK) have already gathered outside the U.S. State Department, waving Iran’s tri-color flag and banners that read “March in Solidarity with the Uprising and the Iranian Resistance for Regime Change” and “Stop executions in Iran”.