The annual Free Iran rally was a massive success this year. Many distinguished speakers from all over the world spoke about the Iranian Resistance and the efforts that can be made to advance the movement even further.
These distinguished speakers included former members of parliament, dignitaries, human rights activists, and so on. Many spoke about the positive progress that has been made since the 2019 Free Iran gathering.
The #MEK wants to bring great change to Iran. It wants the people of #Iran to have a democratic leadership that will focus on the needs of the people, not ignore them as the regime has done for four decades. #FreeIran2020https://t.co/n5PLotCHoI pic.twitter.com/8D29sqp6Qp
— StopFundamentalism (@SFundamentalism) August 3, 2020
The first day of the event (that was hosted virtually this year because of the Coronavirus pandemic) drew speakers from more than 100 countries and more than 30,000 locations.
The topic of the second day of proceedings focused on the 1988 Massacre in which the regime executed more than 30,000 political prisoners, most of whom were members or supporters of the MEK.
Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), described the 1988 Massacre as “one of the most horrifying and indescribable crimes” – a sentiment echoed by many. Indeed, many others described the 1988 Massacre as the most horrific crime against humanity in recent times.
What stands out about this horrific crime is that the regime continues to defend it, saying that officials were carrying out “God’s will” and some of the members of the so-called “death commissions” have gone on to occupy high-level government positions including justice minister.
Mrs. Rajavi initiated the movement for justice for the victims in 2016 and the Iranian Resistance has spent years shedding light on the incident. There have been marches, rallies, conferences and so on, to make sure that the 1988 Massacre is never forgotten.
Ambassador Lincoln Bloomfield emphasized the role of the NCRI and MEK in working to ensure that the people of Iran will one day soon be free from the rule of the mullahs. He paid tribute to the entire Resistance and said that the regime quite rightly sees it as a threat to its survival. “The regime sees these events and they know the NCRI and the MEK more than anyone else are fully capable of organizing a democratic transition to the legitimate constitutional government after the fall of the regime.”
The #MEK represents more than just hope for democratic governance and respect for human rights in #Iran. It also represents the very real prospect of the mullahs being overthrown by #Iranian people, resulting in immediate benefit for global security.https://t.co/N7729n3GSY
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) August 1, 2020
Former U.S. Ambassador to the UN Human Rights Commission Kenneth Blackwell emphasized the importance of exposing the regime for what it is and said that it must be tried by the world court for its crimes against humanity. He said that supporting the people of Iran will “give humanity and freedom a fighting chance”.
Survivors of the 1988 massacre also spoke about the experiences they have endured at the hands of the regime. Several of them reminded European leaders that economic interests must not be favored over the incredible suffering and sacrifices made by the people of Iran. Bahador Kiamarzi, a member of the MEK member and eyewitness to the 1988 Massacre said that the “struggle for our people” will continue and that the sacrifices of the 30,000 political prisoners in 1988 will not be in vain.
