Press Release by United4Iran.org

On December 27, 2009, Iranians took to the streets to mark Ashura- a holiday commemorating the death of the grandson of Mohammad and his supporters in battle- as well as to express opposition to the current government. The day also marks the 7th day of mourning for the revered Iranian religious leader Grand Ayatollah Hossein-Ali Montazeri, a serious critique of the government's human rights records.

Early in the day, security forces shot into the crowds, killing at least 10 people and wounding hundreds of protestors. Ali Mousavi, the nephew of the opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi, was assassinated point blank in front of his home. Later, his body was kidnapped from the hospital and is being kept away from his family to prevent any memorial services. Hundreds of people were arrested, including prominent opposition figures and human rights defenders.

protesters in Tehran on December 27 (photo by www.kosoof.com)

Within hours, thousands of Iranians and non-Iranians internationally mobilized to condemn the violence and stand in support of people of Iran. Demonstrations have been organized in at least 20 cities, including in Brussels, the Hague, Frankfurt, Rome, Munich, Berlin, and Washington DC, where the demonstrations were held in front of embassies and consulates. (Washington DC is front of the Interest Section of the Islamic Republic of Iran).

On Sunday December 27th, in Frankfurt, hundreds of demonstrators surrounded the perimeter of the Islamic Republic of Iran's Consulate, demanding that all Iranian embassies and consulates throughout Iran be shut down.

Rallies were held on December 28th in Berkeley, Denmark, Irvine, Los Angeles, Munich, Rome, Stockholm, Toronto, Vancouver, Vienna, Hague, and Hamburg. Koln held a rally on Sunday December 27th.

Various countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, the United States, and Canada, have come out to strongly condemn the violence against the people of Iran. During the night of Ashura, citizens of China showed their support by dispersing information across Twitter using the #CN4Iran hashtag. 'CN4Iran' quickly became one of the top ten trending topics on twitter.

United4Iran, a global network in support of human and civil rights in Iran, is gathering, posting, and disseminating the various activities taking place around the world in support of the people of Iran. Please visit United4Iran.org for information regarding upcoming events in your area and for ideas on how to help.
Please e-mail your event info, questions, and suggestions to share@united4iran.org.

... Payvand News - 12/29/09 ... --