Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, August 2009, page 55
Waging Peace
Iranians in San Francisco Protest Iran’s Election Results
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ON JUNE 16 some 200 Iranians from Northern California gathered in San Francisco’s Union Square in solidarity with the thousands in Iran protesting the results of Iran’s June 12 presidential election. Many wore emerald green scarves or ribbons—the symbolic color of reformist candidate Mir Hussein Mousavi’s presidential campaign—and carried signs asking, “Where is my vote?”
San Francisco Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, who is of Iranian descent, broke away from critical city budget talks to address the crowd. “Today I submitted a resolution to our Board of Supervisors stating that we stand in solidarity with the hundreds of thousands of Iranians who with great determination are expressing their democratic rights,” the popular supervisor said amid cheers and applause. “We have not seen this passion, courage or creativity in Iran in a generation, and it is critical that we do not let the people of Iran, who are risking their lives, feel alone. It is our responsibility to stand in solidarity and let them know they are not there in vain. This is not about a particular candidate who won or did not. This is about a process that should be respected no matter who your choice is.”
The crowd sang traditional Iranian songs, chanted slogans, and, as the sun set, lit candles to honor the protesters who had died in Iran.
—Elaine Pasquini
