Read the original post on freeiranspoliticalprisonersnow.org
Join The International Emergency Campaign (IEC)-Initiated Webinar
Co-Hosted by “Global Conversations” of the Unitarian Universalist Society Of San Francisco
Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/91631626879?pwd=ajem5BtDvWSXVry4Bnwiii0gfB7BJP.1
In-person viewing at UUSF TSK Room
Speakers: Prof. Stephen Zunes, Lili Babayi, Gavrilah Wells, Dolly VealeAlso: cultural presentations and statements of solidarity with the political prisoners in Iran
Speakers from diverse viewpoints will speak on how we can be part of bringing forward another way in the interest of humanity against the false choice of siding with one or the other reactionary regimes, whether the US/Israel or Iran. They will explore why and how it is more urgent than ever for a global grassroots movement to stand with Iran’s courageous political prisoners, especially the actions of the heroic women in Evin Prison, who have continued to risk life and limb to repeatedly hold hunger strikes and sit-ins to protest executions, especially those targeting women activists and ethnic minorities (e.g., the Kurd and Baluch peoples).
*In their letter the 9 Prisoners warned that, “If this war [on Gaza] widens, it could give [the regime] a pretext to use even more violence to suppress protesters, political prisoners, workers’ movements, women, students, religious minorities such as the Bahá’í community, and even to extend their attacks against the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement.” This, in fact, is what is rapidly unfolding.
*On August 7, the Center for Human Rights in Iran reported that 29 prisoners were hanged by the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI)’s theocracy in the previous 24 hours. Twenty-six were from the prison of Ghezel Hesar where prisoners had launched “No Execution Tuesday” hunger strikes over 6 months ago.
*These executions took place just one day after widespread global protests against the sudden and secret execution of Kurdish political prisoner Reza Rasaei, which was the 10th execution of a protester arrested during the Woman, Life, Freedom uprising that began in September 2022, sparked by the state murder of Mahsa ‘Jina’ Amini for “improper hijab.”
*The brave women of Evin prison immediately and militantly protested Reza Rasaei’s execution by the reactionary regime, and were brutally beaten and injured by guards. Narges Mohammadi, the 2023 Nobel Peace Laureate with a heart condition, was repeatedly punched in the chest and other parts of her body. Despite all this, prisoners chant, “We may give up health, we may give up life, but we do not give up on emancipation!” during their sit-ins.
Such revolutionary spirit must not only be supported but emulated and spread worldwide in these momentous times in human history! We firmly join in their urgent demand: “STOP THE EXECUTIONS!”
It is the view of some US “leftists” that this is not a good time to criticize Iran’s theocracy. Far from it! The recent call for solidarity made by scores of Iranian student and political groups declares, “SEIZE THE TIME,” and act to free Iran’s political prisoners NOW. As the Woman, Life, Freedom uprising made it clear to all that, far from being a liberatory regime, the IRI is an oppressive, misogynist, dark-ages capitalist nightmare. Iran’s theocrats label themselves “Anti-imperialist” and “axis of resistance” but that cannot hide the reality that their regime (Iran) is merely a lesser gangster up against the world’s biggest gangster and problem for humanity (US-Israel). The question is, “what side are you on?”
As the webinar will make clear, if you side with one or the other of these reactionary forces, you are actually strengthening both of them —and strengthening the dangerous, delusional dynamic of “opposite sides of the same stupidity.” As for those who say we “cannot interfere in the internal affairs of a legitimate regime in Iran,” they are lending cowardly support to a totally illegitimate regime, and giving a slap in the face to the legitimacy of the Woman, Life, Freedom protesters and political prisoners. In 2020, were people around the world right or wrong to support the George Floyd uprising? And now, to stand against genocide in Gaza? Again, the question, “what side are you on?”
Come to the teach-in prepared to learn, to participate in the Q&A following the presentations — and to become active in growing the campaign to free Iran’s political prisoners.
The governments of the U.S. and Iran act from their national interests. And, in this instance, we the people of the U.S. and Iran, along with the people of the world, have OUR shared interests, as part of getting to a better world: to unite to defend the political prisoners of Iran. In the U.S., we have a special responsibility to unite very broadly against this vile repression by the IRI, and to actively oppose any war moves by the U.S. government that would bring even more unbearable suffering to the people of Iran. ~ From the IEC’s Emergency Appeal