INTERNATIONAL DAY of SOLIDARITY w/ PEOPLE of IRAN in their STRUGGLE for DEMOCRACY & HUMAN RIGHTS July 25, 2009

On Saturday July 25, people around the world have the opportunity to support the people of Iran in their struggle for democracy, freedom and basic human rights by attending rallies in dozens of cities around the world.

Why a global day of action?

On June 12th, Iranians participated in a presidential election marred by accusations of widespread fraud and voting irregularities. In the days that followed, hundreds of thousands of Iranians took to the streets to protest the official election results. The Iranian government's brutal response to these protests has left at least 17 people dead, hundreds more badly injured, and still hundreds more arrested and at high risk of torture and execution. These acts are a direct assault on the Iranian people's human and civil rights – and those of everyone who supports these ideals around the world.

Since the contested elections on June 12th, hundreds of thousands of people have participated in hundreds of demonstrations in at least 40 major cities in 15 countries. However, no globally coordinated event has yet been organized. On July 25 people around the world can support the people of Iran in their struggle for democracy, freedom and basic civil rights.

Why July 25?

The inauguration of Ahmadinejad will take place sometime between July 26th and August 19th, and there is a likelihood of civil action in Iran near that date.

What do we believe in?

We agree with the following values and visions:

"If one country sincerely wants to support democracy in another country that is under dictatorial rule, the only thing to do is to support the freedom fighters who stand for the democratic institutions of that country. Done this way, the sapling of democracy will bear the flower of freedom." – Shirin Ebadi, Iranian human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner

"The Campaign is founded on these principles: that human rights in Iran, and in every country, are a matter of legitimate international concern and essential to establishing international peace and security; that human rights in Iran can only be implemented with the assistance of civil society, whose role must be protected and sustained; that human rights compliance in Iran should be approached from a non-partisan perspective, and detached from political objectives; and that solidarity with any and all peoples prevented from enjoying their human rights is a moral imperative of our time." –International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran

We do not have any political agenda; our only aim is to support the people of Iran in their struggle for democracy, freedom and basic civil rights.

What's the status?

Rallies are currently scheduled in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, San Diego, Orange, County, London, Zurich, Frankfurt, Stockholm.
Current event sponsors include:
- League for Defense of Human Rights in Iran (LDDHI)
- International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran
- Amnesty International USA
- Omid
What can you do?

Spread the word. Follow us on twitter and Facebook. Attend or organize a rally in your city. Write to your newspaper. Call your elected officials and ask them to stand out. Email [email protected] to volunteer.

Official Website: http://www.payvand.com/news/09/jul/1044.html