Photos: Calgarians protest Iran’s Islamic Republic, call for regime change
A visibly overcome Bob Hariri cries during a song that protests the Islamic Republic of Iran's treatment of Iranians at Calgary City Hall on Saturday, October 1, 2022. The protest was one of 150 that took place in cities around the world in growing anger at the regime's treatment of Iranian women after the death of Mahsa Amini at the hands of the country's morality police. ARYN TOOMBS / FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARY
Gathered by the thousands at Calgary city hall, Iranian-Canadians protested the killing of Masha Amini at the hands of Iran’s morality police.
They joined in a worldwide protest against Iran’s Islamic Republic regime on Saturday.
The protests were sparked by the death of Amini after she was arrested and beaten by the regime’s morality police for not complying with that country’s hijab rules.
Protests have continued in that nation since Sept. 16. Multiple protesters have been arrested and killed by the regime’s police forces during the protests for the past 15 days which have drawn tens of thousands to the streets.
“We are here to support the Iranian people right now in the warzone against the Iranian regime,” said Eghbal Kayadan, organizer for the Calgary protest.
“We are here living in a peaceful country, so we are looking for a peaceful country for Iranian people, too.”
Approximately 2,500 protesters filled the civic square in front of City Hall for the protest.
Calls for regime change
During the afternoon there were chants of against the Iran’s leader Ali Khamenei, alongside the Iranian regime. Many of the protesters called for a regime change, and the support of the Canadian government to make that happen.
“They need to support people in Iran, and we want sanctions against the [Islamic Revolutionary Guard] in Iran,” said Ellie Sobhanzadeh.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mélanie Joly, issued a statement on Sept. 23 condemning the detention and death of Amini.
“Her death was a direct result of the systemic and continued harassment and repression of women by Iran,” Joly said.
“Women’s rights are human rights. We salute the courage of the Iranian women who are peacefully protesting and we join them in sending the regime a very clear message: They must end all forms of persecution and violence against women.”
Prime Minister Trudeau has said previously that the government will add additional sanctions against the regime, including individuals and organizations, and the morality police, to the Canadian Government’s already existing sanctions against Iran.
The government issued an avoid all travel notice to the nation on Saturday. They cited the protests in the nation, and the possibility of arbitrary detention.
Bayre song drives many to tears during protest
One of the most moving moments for the protesters was the playing of Bayre, by Iranian musician Shervin Hajipour. The song is also known as For in English.
He wrote the song combining the protest tweets of what Iranians were fighting for after the death of Amini. Hajipour was arrested by the regime’s police on September 29 as a result of posting the song to Instagram.
Bob Hariri was one of those Calgarians visibly shaken and moved to tears while the song played.
“All he said in his song, it’s all the suffering from our heart in 40 years, from the beginning of the Islamic Republic of Iran in 1979, till now,” he said.
“That’s why I was so emotional, because I feel every word of that song in my country, and even though I’m here, I can feel it very, very deeply.
“We don’t know if he’s alive or dead—hopefully he’s alive.”
Hariri said that he hasn’t seen this many Iranians united together under one cause before.
“It’s amazing. I don’t remember such such a thing in my life,” he said.
“I haven’t seen these united people all together, saying the same thing all over—we don’t want a Islamic republic in Iran, that’s all that matters.”
Photos from the protest at City Hall
Approximately 2,500 people gathered to protest the Islamic Republic of Iran’s treatment of Iranians at Calgary City Hall on Saturday, October 1, 2022. The protest was one of 150 that took place in cities around the world in growing anger at the regime’s treatment of Iranian women after the death of Mahsa Amini at the hands of the country’s morality police. ARYN TOOMBS / FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARYIranian Canadians sing along to a protest song written Shervin Hajipour protesting the Islamic Republic of Iran’s treatment of Iranians, at Calgary City Hall on Saturday, October 1, 2022. The protest was one of 150 that took place in cities around the world in growing anger at the regime’s treatment of Iranian women after the death of Mahsa Amini at the hands of the country’s morality police. ARYN TOOMBS / FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARYA visibly overcome Bob Hariri cries during a song that protests the Islamic Republic of Iran’s treatment of Iranians at Calgary City Hall on Saturday, October 1, 2022. The protest was one of 150 that took place in cities around the world in growing anger at the regime’s treatment of Iranian women after the death of Mahsa Amini at the hands of the country’s morality police. ARYN TOOMBS / FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARYIranian Canadians protest the Islamic Republic of Iran’s treatment of Iranians at Calgary City Hall on Saturday, October 1, 2022. The protest was one of 150 that took place in cities around the world in growing anger at the regime’s treatment of Iranian women after the death of Mahsa Amini at the hands of the country’s morality police. ARYN TOOMBS / FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARYRegime change is demanded by Iranian-Calgarians at Calgary City Hall on Saturday, October 1, 2022. The protest was one of 150 that took place in cities around the world in growing anger at the regime’s treatment of Iranian women after the death of Mahsa Amini at the hands of the country’s morality police. ARYN TOOMBS / FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARYIranian Canadians protest the Islamic Republic of Iran’s treatment of Iranians at Calgary City Hall on Saturday, October 1, 2022. The protest was one of 150 that took place in cities around the world in growing anger at the regime’s treatment of Iranian women after the death of Mahsa Amini at the hands of the country’s morality police. ARYN TOOMBS / FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARYApproximately 2,500 people gathered to protest the Islamic Republic of Iran’s treatment of Iranians at Calgary City Hall on Saturday, October 1, 2022. The protest was one of 150 that took place in cities around the world in growing anger at the regime’s treatment of Iranian women after the death of Mahsa Amini at the hands of the country’s morality police. ARYN TOOMBS / FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARYIranian Canadians protest the Islamic Republic of Iran’s treatment of Iranians at Calgary City Hall on Saturday, October 1, 2022. The protest was one of 150 that took place in cities around the world in growing anger at the regime’s treatment of Iranian women after the death of Mahsa Amini at the hands of the country’s morality police. ARYN TOOMBS / FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARYIranian Canadians protest the Islamic Republic of Iran’s treatment of Iranians at Calgary City Hall on Saturday, October 1, 2022. The protest was one of 150 that took place in cities around the world in growing anger at the regime’s treatment of Iranian women after the death of Mahsa Amini at the hands of the country’s morality police. ARYN TOOMBS / FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARYIranian Canadians protest the Islamic Republic of Iran’s treatment of Iranians at Calgary City Hall on Saturday, October 1, 2022. The protest was one of 150 that took place in cities around the world in growing anger at the regime’s treatment of Iranian women after the death of Mahsa Amini at the hands of the country’s morality police. ARYN TOOMBS / FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARYA photo of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ali Khamenei, is stepped on at Calgary City Hall on Saturday, October 1, 2022. The protest was one of 150 that took place in cities around the world in growing anger at the regime’s treatment of Iranian women after the death of Mahsa Amini at the hands of the country’s morality police. ARYN TOOMBS / FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARY
