By Amanda EngelPosted
October 21, 2022
Mahsa Amini’s death at the hands of police last month sparked worldwide protests calling for freedom in Iran.
On Friday afternoon, the Organization of Iranian American Communities held a virtual Congressional briefing on the ongoing situation in Iran, where many more people have been killed and injured during protests.
According to Dr. Ramesh Sepehrrad, a professor of Middle East Studies at the University of Baltimore and a leader at the OIAC, more than 400 people have been killed and thousands have been arrested.
The people of Iran are sending us a clear message says , Dr. Majid Sadeghpour, the political director of OIAC, “we know all of Iran is united for freedom and democracy.”
The people inside Iran are calling this a revolution as opposed to a protest, according to Dr. Sepehrrad.
Uprisings have been seen in nearly 200 cities according to speakers at the briefing. And the presentation included videos of these uprisings across the country, with some videos showing protestors overwhelming the police forces sent to quell them in sheer numbers.
Maryam Rajavi, the president of the National Council of Resistance, was the keynote speaker. “It is time for Western governments to realize that Iran is on the brink of change,” Rajavi said.
There were calls from congresswoman Shelia Jackson Lee of Texas on the US to help provide internet capabilities in Iran, which has been cut off by the government in some instances.
Across speakers, there was an outpouring of praise for the people of Iran, and particularly the women of Iran for their strength, resilience and sacrifice in this uprising.
Two Maryland congressman, Rep. David Trone (MD-6) and Rep. Jamie Raskin (MD-8) spoke in support of the people of Iran. “I share the outrage and anger, of the hundreds and thousands, if not millions of women who are protesting the murder of Mahsa Amini,” said Rep. Raskin.
He added, “we need to be at the forefront of Democracy.” Rep. Trone called the Iranian regime’s actions, “devastating.” “In the coming days, Congress must continue to speak out against this issue,” he added.
Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger (MD-2) submitted a written message that was read in part during the briefing.
