Iranians Gather in Canada; “Our Voice Must Be Louder Than Those of Islamic Republic Advocates in the West”
Hamed Esmailioun, secretary and spokesman of the Ukrainian airplane crash victims’ association, said at a gathering of Iranians in Toronto, Canada in solidarity with the people of Abadan and in support of Iran’s protests: “Our hands are tied regarding Iran, but things can be done.”
Hundreds of Iranian citizens residing in Canada held gatherings on Sunday, June 5, expressing solidarity with the bereaved people of Abadan in the Metropol tower tragedy, while also showing support for recent protests in Iran.
Organizers of gatherings in Canadian cities announced the message of these assemblies as “interaction, respect, and solidarity” with people “to help facilitate the transition away from the Islamic Republic.”
Hamed Esmailioun, secretary and spokesman of the Ukrainian airplane crash victims’ association, was among the speakers at the Toronto gathering. Pointing out that Islamic Republic advocates in the West are trying to portray all events in Iran, including the Metropol tower collapse and the shooting down of a passenger plane, as natural occurrences, he added: “Our voice must be louder than theirs in this country.”
According to Hamed Esmailioun, defenders of the Iranian government in the West “consider a terrorist a noble commander and the leader of murderers a pious leader,” but “our voice must be louder… A mafia runs that place. Criminals in turbans and bloodthirsty Revolutionary Guards run it.”
At the end of his remarks, Mr. Esmailioun expressed solidarity with the people of Abadan, who mourn the victims of the Metropol tower collapse, saying: “We are with you, Abadan. Live with your anger, for the fall of the murderer will begin with your anger.”
As a result of the collapse of the Metropol building in Abadan on June 2, at least 40 people were killed. Some officials of the Islamic Republic have acknowledged that extensive corruption occurred during the construction of the tower between the original owner and the municipality and some officials.
According to the organizers, these gatherings were held in three cities—Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal—with the participation of Iranian groups with various political orientations.
Simultaneously and following an invitation from Arash Sobhani, a singer and musician, a group of Iranians residing in Washington, D.C. also gathered in front of the former Iranian embassy in the city in solidarity with recent popular protests in Iran.
After a musical performance by Arash Sobhani, the participants in this gathering sang the song “Come along, dear one, do not remain alone in pain” in solidarity with the protesting people of Iran.
This protest singer, who had previously asked all artists to “echo the voices of the desperate protesters through their art,” also announced at the end of this gathering efforts to organize similar programs in other American cities.
In the days and nights following the Metropol collapse, Abadan witnessed extensive protest gatherings by the people demanding the resignation and punishment of those responsible for the incident. In many cases, these gatherings were met with suppression by special guards forces, and according to videos and eyewitness reports, military and security personnel used tear gas, warning shots, and direct fire to disperse the crowds.
Source: Radio Farda
