As delegates from the United States and Iran meet for talks aimed at ending the war in the Middle East, demonstrators rallied outside the U.S. embassy in Ottawa Saturday to speak out against the Iranian government.
Demonstrators then moved from the embassy to Wellington Street and onto Parliament Hill, standing in solidarity with their family and friends who they say cannot speak out for themselves.
Iranian Canadians from Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal and supporters of the Lion and Sun Revolution joined the march. Among their demands is an end to Iran’s Internet blackout restricting access to information for those in the country.
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“I’m out here marching for my country and my people, asking for regime change. That’s the only thing that the Iranian (regime) wants,” said attendee Sina Paslar.
Mahbod Nazeri says he’s demonstrating because communication with his family is limited.
“The regime for 47 years has tortured people and we are done with this regime. There is no reform,” Nazeri said.
The United States and Iran began historic face-to-face negotiations Saturday in Pakistan, days after a fragile, two-week ceasefire was announced, as the war that has killed thousands of people and shaken global markets entered its seventh week.
Saturday’s rally was led by organizers from Cyrus the Great Ottawa, an advocacy group supporting the people of Iran.
Organizers are also calling on the U.S. government to recognize and meet with crown prince Reza Pahlavi as Iran’s transitional leader and reject the current Islamic regime.
“Whoever are participating in this negotiation from the Iranian side, they are not representing the Iranian people and they are not representing the will of the people. They are just buying some time to prolong the life of this regime,” said co-organizer Soorena Noori.
Several members of Parliament were also in attendance.
“For me, this is a personal cause. I have watched this regime create so much chaos and terror across so many lives and people. To see that this is the end of that regime is a moment of historic proportion,” said Conservative MP for Calgary Heritage Shuvaloy Majumdar.
Iran’s internet blackout has been ongoing since soon after the U.S. and Israel attacked the country on Feb. 28. It is the longest nationwide shut down for any country on record, according to experts.
With files from The Associated Press
