Fast for Iran at the United Nations, Day 2, 7/23

by Denise Romano

The fast/hunger strike for Iran outside of the United Nations, which started Wednesday, begins its final day today.  The event has not only received extensive mention in the American press, but worldwide as well.  Mir Hossein Mousavi’s Facebook page has displayed videos from the fast, and mentions of the gathering have been seen on BBC Persian and Voice of America.  Hundreds have attended each day, from ordinary Iranian-Americans showing their solidarity to prominent writers, scholars, and celebrities.

NYC for Iran didn’t make it to day two, but as day three begins, we share with you videos and accounts directly from some of the attendees and organizers at yesterday’s gathering.  Thanks to all for bringing these to our attention:

Live-tweets of each day’s events are available from @OnlyMehdi, a trusted NYC-area Twitter user whose father is imprisoned in Iran.

CNN has reported on the first and second days so far

Akbar Ganji speaks – July 23rd

Noam Chomsky visits the fast – July 23rd

Faramaz Aslani plays for the crowd – July 23rd

Democracy at Stake

by Denise Romano

Shala, 62, is an Iranian-born woman living in New York.  She shared with us her views on the current situation in Iran at a rally in Washington Square two weeks ago.

She began by reminding us of how things started in June.  “I am sure you have heard the news that there was an election in Iran,” she explained.  “Many people believe they have documented that there was a fraudulent election and that the [real] president-elect is Mousavi.”

“There were fraud and lies,” she said.  “Ahmadi was elected president…but the United States supports Iranian people in the streets demanding democratic rights.”

Obama Doing “Very, Very Well”

Shala said that she is happy with President Obama’s stance on Iran.

“He did very, very well, I think, surprisingly well,” she said. “I am glad they didn’t put his support in a very clear manner, it would have hurt us.  As much as he did was quite enough.  I am happy with that.”

Choosing Between “Bad and Worse”

But she is not happy with who the leadership in Iran may be.

“I don’t want Mousavi.  I wanted him because I didn’t want Ahmadinejad,” she said.

“You always had to choose between bad and worse; he is not my ideal candidate, but I would settle for him as a step toward democracy.  Dictatorship is what we have with Ahmadinejad and also corruption and destruction for the whole country more than democracy. That is what is at stake here.”

Fast for Iran at the United Nations, Day 1, 7/22

by Denise Romano

See the full slideshow by clicking here.

UPDATE: CNN also attended the event. See their report, posted here.

Several Green Movement groups in New York have organized a 3-day fast outside of the United Nations. Hundreds turned out throughout the first day, today, to stand in solidarity with the protesters in Iran. A scroll and painting were signed by the attendees; speakers visited throughout the day, including some of the Iranian-American community’s most popular voices; and many of the participants refrained from eating from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

As one photo shows, a very small group of monarchists attended, but had to stand across the street from the main gathering, unwelcome by a crowd with as little tolerance for the Pahlavi enthusiasts.

Speakers included Akbar Ganji, Googoosh, Fatemeh Haqiqatjoo, Mehrangiz Kar, Edbi, Hamid Dabashi, and Isabella Rossellini.

Check out the full slideshow or the videos below. Interviews with some of the attendees will follow.

The fast continues tomorrow and Friday, followed Saturday by a march from Times Square to the United Nations as part of the Global Day of Action. Popular NYC-area Twitter user @OnlyMehdi live-tweeted today’s event and will continue through the week.

Information on this week’s events can be found on these sites:
Fast/Hunger Strike for Iran – Official Facebook page for the fast/hunger strike at the United Nations
Global Day of Action, New York – Official Facebook event page for New York’s Global Day of Action
Fast/Hunger Strike for Iran – Official website for the fast (mostly Persian)

Freedom Glory Project

by Denise Romano, originally published July 10

UPDATE: Freedom Glory Project was featured on CNN on July 20th. Check out the bottom video for the interview.

For the past two weeks, New York City’s rallies in support of the protesters in Iran have become increasingly more dynamic by including artists, especially musicians. Just as Where is My Vote? – New York has become the de facto organizer of NYC’s solidarity gatherings, the Freedom Glory Project has risen to become the most popular musical act among the crowds that have been gathering across Manhattan. They recently made a video (below) to accompany the song “Freedom, Glory Be Your Name,” dedicated to “the people of Iran and the citizens of the world who stand with them.”

Freedom Glory Project will be performing at the Mercury Lounge on Sunday, July 19th at 7 p.m.. All proceeds will go to “keeping the Iranian struggle in the news.”

What Are We Fighting For?

by Denise Romano

Two young Iranians came out to Washington Square last Thursday to support their country with hundreds like them.

Omid, 28, attended the protest because he doesn’t agree with the election results.

“We have to state that Ahmadinejad is not our president,” he said. “We have to free the political prisoners in Iran who are being tortured.”

Sara, 19, agreed.

“Iran is my home,” she said. “We have to show them that people won’t keep silent over here. We are with you every step of the way. I have nothing but respect and pride for my people. Those cruel, savage basij officers that fight them with batons and tear gas…I have nothing but respect for my people.”

The World Is Watching

Omid is pleased with the media’s coverage of the events in Iran, so far.

“CNN and BBC have been covering all the news about Iran and its very nice that people get to know what is happening,” he said, adding that it was “very good” of President Obama to lay low. “The movement is against the leader and the people in charge of the country. With the medias coverage, international people now know what is happening in Iran.”

Sara had a different take.

“It is hard to say, but nothing being done is cruel,” she said. “The UN and other organizations have to have some way to help the country. They say, ‘The world is watching,’ but it is time to take some action.”

The Future Of Iran

Both have different ideas of Iran’s future.

Omid is happy with Mousavi.

“Iranians are looking to gather once or twice a week,” he said. “They will plan every day and it is going really well. I want to see Mousavi in power. He will bring democracy to Iran.”

Sara has another take.

“Right now I am not fighting for a velvet revolution, I am fighting to free a thousand prisoners that were taken and being cruelly tortured,” she said. “I am not fighting for a revolution.”