Iranian American Community Organization Protest Rally in Washington: The World Must Hold President Accountable for His Actions
A group of Iranians in Washington, the capital of the United States, held a protest rally in front of the United States Capitol building on Monday, August 2, one day before the inauguration of Ebrahim Raisi as president, in support of the recent popular protests in Iran.
This rally was organized by the Iranian American Communities Organization.
“The truth about the murders committed by Raisi cannot be hidden by shutting down the internet or by silencing the media,” Republican Senator Ted Cruz, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told the protesters in a written message. “I join you and many other Americans in calling for democracy and protection of human rights in Iran by continuing our legislative efforts.”
Eliot Engel, former chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, also responded to a question from the Persian service of the Voice of America about his assessment of the performance of President Biden's administration in supporting the people of Iran, saying: "Overall, President Biden's administration has been appropriate and good. But it must be ensured that the agreement with Iran does not make that country stronger. The Islamic Republic is a repressive regime and it is very bad for the people of Iran. The United States must clearly say that it will not do anything that will strengthen the current ruling circle in Iran, because it has committed terrible crimes so far."
At this rally, images of victims of executions in the Islamic Republic of Iran, especially those in 2018, were displayed, and the demonstrators demanded that the world hold Raisi accountable for his actions.
Eshrat Najibzadeh, a mother whose three children – Mehran, Mandana, and Mohammad – have been executed in the Islamic Republic’s prisons, told VOA she is calling on American officials to bar Raisi from entering the United States to address the United Nations General Assembly.
Maryam Rajavi, the head of the National Council of Resistance, also called on the US Congress to continue its decisive bipartisan policy against the ruling regime in Iran.
Ramesh Sepehrad, one of the organizers of the rally, told VOA: "The protesters are demanding continued pressure from the US government, including increased sanctions against Khamenei and Raisi. A criminal investigation should also be initiated against Raisi."
Source: Voice of America
