Call for support for Iranian students for democratic change

Rally in London 4 November 2009

Please join us in front of the 10 Downing Street – London for a rally in support of the people in Iran.

Students, workers, teachers, women’s rights groups and millions more are planning to take to the streets in Iran to demand change.
Despite the Government’s threats to crack down on those who come out that day, brave men and women are determined to show their resolve for change one more time. Let us add our voice and send a message of support that they are not alone.

They deserve our support.

Time: 11:00 – 13:00
Date: Wednesday, 4 November
Place: Whitehall, opposite 10 Downing Street (Nearest tube station: Westminster)

Background Info:

On 4 November, 1979, hardline radicals who called themselves student followers of Imam Khomeini, stormed the US embassy in Tehran and took American diplomats hostage, holding them for 444 days. This action was highly praised by Khomeini. Since then the mullahs’ authorities have organised an annual demonstration to commemorate the event marking it as the day of struggle against oppression.

However, after 30 years, those who have claimed to struggle against oppression have become oppressors themselves! Ahmadinejad, was one of the radicals in the US embassy tormenting the hostages, later in Evin prison he evolved to one of the most cruel interrogators and torturers who used his talent to break the morale of the dissident Iranian students, intellectuals, and opposition leaders in dungeons taking part in their execution. 

This year, on 4 November, calls have gone out on the Internet by all opposition groups inside and outside Iran who want to see an end to this regime to stage a counter-demonstration against the mullahs.

This is the first big planned protest since June 2009 presidential elections when widespread demonstrations rocked all major Iranian cities. Over 300 people were killed and some 4,000 opposition backers were arrested in a crackdown in street protests that erupted after Ahmadinejad was re-elected.  Hundreds of thousands chanted “Down with dictator” and condemned the fraudulent election result.

Ahmad Jannati, a top mullah official and head of the Guardians Council, in last Friday prayer sermon broadcast on state radio, threatened people against popular plans for holding demonstrations on 4 November.
He said,” 4 November is a day of struggle against oppression worldwide, some people who have made plans for this day to do something else must know that their plans will fail".
He added; "Any action that goes against the path of the people and against Velayat (religious rule) is destined to fail. ...authorities must act firmly against them".
"If the judiciary and the intelligence services act lightly, this would be a betrayal, you cannot treat with kid gloves those who have acted like our worst enemies" Jannati said.

Despite threats and promises to crack down on the crowd, opposition networks are working tirelessly to hold a momentous rally.