Interesting "Iranian-Americans" at the MEK Rally in DC!

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Interesting "Iranian-Americans" at the MEK Rally in DC!
by Ali Lakani
27-Aug-2011
 

If you have been wondering who among us Iranian-Americans supports the MEK and its delisting as a "foreign terror organization," wonder no more. Meet The Great Lonnell and his 200 friends from his church in Staten Island, who attended a 1,000-1,500 person rally in DC on Friday. "We are here representing on behalf of the Iranian community," The Great Lonnell told Foreign Policy's The Cable.

According to ThinkProgress website:

"But many apparent non-Iranians came out as well, most wearing flags, headbands, and even yellow vests with images of the group’s leaders — Maryam and Massoud Rajavi — on the chest. Of this group, few seemed to have many details about the MEK, and instead pledged vague notions of support for human rights and democracy, often even getting the name of the MEK wrong.

Some of the attendees had been bused and flown in at no personal cost, receiving transportation and in some cases lodging and meals.

One attendee who spoke with ThinkProgress, Melvin Santiago, 23, a homeless man living in shelters in Staten Island, New York, said he’d found out about the protest from a friend he’d come with. They made the trip along with about 100 other people in four rented coach buses.

“He saw [a flier] yesterday passing by the church,” said Santiago of his friend. “He usually goes there for the food pantry.”

On a day’s notice, Santiago said he hadn’t had a chance to learn too much about the MEK — he thought the group was called “Ashraff,” which is the name of the camp in Iraq where 3,400 members currently live."

Here are some of the people who went to the rally yesterday, talking about why and how they joined the delisting rally:

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G. Rahmanian

I Also Wonder!

by G. Rahmanian on

I'm also wondering how much this video cost the Islamic Republic?


Bavafa

You see pathetic…

by Bavafa on

I see devious and I believe I know enough about their past practices to know they are devious. At least as bad as the Mullahs if not worse.

'Hambastegi' is the main key to victory 

Mehrdad


Soosan Khanoom

XOXO

by Soosan Khanoom on

I agree with almost everything you siad here but the last one .....

Just do not mess with Kambiz and Saman please because i know they are not what you are accusing them of ....  That program is doing just fine and they are not ( atleast ) not yet any propaganda machine of the west. they are bringing up issues inside Iran which is nothing but truth ..if you have problem with those issues please contact those who are causing it inside Iran. These two guys whom I dearly love and adore are not to be blamed ....

Now if you want them to analysis U.S/ MEK tactics and you think they have not done enough just write to them and suggest it to them but do not accuse them of something that they are not ......  and no I do not beleive in Mickey Mouse either ... 


Truthseeker9

...

by Truthseeker9 on

Interesting how some people behave in such a defensive manner in MEK related topics that they feel the need to silence opposing views and make suggestions on what may/ may not be said. 


Tiger Lily

Mehrban, of the sometimes too truly appropriate name

by Tiger Lily on

It just shows that people do want some form of freedom, not even considering MEK's past:

they don't want another dictatorship of any sort. 


Tiger Lily

Thanks, sdexy sista, SK!

by Tiger Lily on

pffft, ewwwwaw, problem is that  I am right.... EWWWAAAWWW!

 

;) 


Mehrban

How did I ignore the issue?!

by Mehrban on

This blog is ridiculing the event, from what I see here, I have to agree that it is a bit of a pathetic show.  At the same time all you guys have been doing is going on about how they can jeoprodize the cause of freedom in Iran.  

You got to decide, are they pathetic or are they formidable foes.

As far as I am concerned they are ailing old group with retrogressive ideas and barking at them is just an excuse for passivity.  It is an excuse for the opposition (if there is one) not do do anything.  It is a classic case of scape goating.  If we have been so absent that a group like this can upstage us in the international scene, then what can I say .....but that we have got a long way to go.    :)


G. Rahmanian

Dear Faramar:

by G. Rahmanian on

I told you how much I respect your logic! Or maybe I didn't. Well it doesn't really matter if I don't remember what I said a few days ago. But I still do remember those MEK gatherings where hundreds of thousands--some say over a million--of the organization's supporters went to see Rajavi talk! I wonder why they had to pick up gun and fight against the Ayattolahs when they could easily win many seats in the parliament, for example. What went wrong!


Faramarz

Souri Jon

by Faramarz on

Why is everyone here so scared of the shadows in the dark? Don't we trust ourselves anymore? Is everything a conspiracy theory?


I understand what you are saying, but I don’t put much stock in MEK’s ability to be of any consequence in the future struggles against the Regime.

I personally know of two cases of MEK sympathizers who are in it purely for the revenge against the Regime and nothing more.

One is a woman who was around 19 in the early 80’s and was passing out leaflets outside of a university. She was picked up by the Regime, raped and a few days later thrown out of a car blindfolded in the middle of the night. She escaped Iran, got married and now lives in northern Europe and has very strong feelings about the Regime and MEK, as you might imagine.

The second one is a man my age who was attending an MEK rally by Khiabani in the early days of the revolution. He was not a member or anything like that, but he was picked up, beaten by electric cables, tortured, but released after a couple of months. He was even in the front line of the war with Iraq.


Neither one of these two people have any connections to the MEK today, but the sense of revenge in them is very strong as you might imagine.

What I am saying is that MEK is irrelevant, the same way that all the other off-shore revolutionaries are irrelevant.

 


BoosBoos

US & ISRAEL FUND THESE GROUPS ... Wake Up Please !

by BoosBoos on

"Because the average Americans (and even some of their senators) don't know yet, what we know about the MKO."

 

  • U.S. and Israeli politicians know EXACTLY what the PMOI/MEK are because they fund, sponsor and organize them:
  • PMOI/MEK has U.S. and israeli paymasters (PJAK, Jundallah, the panturks, all have paymasters)
  • The US doesn't arrest people it calls "terrorists" hmmmm ... why?
  • PMOI/MEK operates in the light of day out France, PJAK out of Germany, hmmm ... why?
  • Never see VOA or "Parazit' (both mouthpieces of the US Gov't) giving any real time or analysis to these issues ... hmmmm.... why?  (P.S. anyone who thinks Saman or Kambiz or in charge at Parazit also believes in Mickey Mouse.) 

 


Bavafa

Dear Mehrban: is this the case of …

by Bavafa on

A best defense is a good offence?

Is it coincidental that in each MEK related conversation you ignore the main issue by deflecteing and bringing other subject into discussion?

If I may suggest, a word or two regarding the main topic will make such tactic less obvious.

'Hambastegi' is the main key to victory 

Mehrdad


Soosan Khanoom

Excellent Point Lily

by Soosan Khanoom on

Excellent Point Lily !


Tiger Lily

I repeat:

by Tiger Lily on


call the fraud squad

by Tiger Lily on 

I'm dead serious. An organization listed as terrorist, is in effect doing some form of money-laundering, by using companies' accounts to lobby politicians by proxy. There is a legal term for this that unfortunately escapes me right now.

It's fraud, through and through. Just call the fraud squad. If they are in effect trading as e.g.  a non-profit foundation or something, their accounts have to be made public, as is their public registration, which should also be on their websites. Their non-profit status has to be justified and viable. 

This lot stink to the high-heavens. Seriously, just one nudge, that won't cost you a penny, but needs an ambitious or  conscientious officer in the fraud squad, should do the trick.


Disenchanted

Thank you Bavafa for the generous rating :-)

by Disenchanted on

 

        I have a hunch MK may think a bit differently! :-)

       MM & Bavafa: good observation. Indeed MEK took advantage of MLK day. This group is nothing if not cunning and deceptive!

        Faramarz: Your logic is flawed. Same logic applies to Al Qaeda. Few in number but destructive. Specially of concern is the deceptive nature of this group. The fact that they have an unelected leadership for life and run an authoritarian organization while crying democracy and freedom is specially disconcerting.

       I suspect if one does not know the history of this group and its leadership they may fall for the colorful parades and their lip service for democracy etc. One has to have followed this group through last decades to know their nature.


gorbeh pashmalo

Gorrbeh Faramarz,

by gorbeh pashmalo on

you have mastered the art of hitting the nail right smack in the center!

If these "insignificant" cats (e.g., MEK supporters) make the NIAC and CASMII cats so worried to the brink of pooping in their pants then how less insignificant can one assume the later be?

Your friend,

Pashm-alo


Bavafa

Cousin Farmarz: Shaban beemokh was also ...

by Bavafa on

a bankrupt (in morality) and free loader thug yet with enough power behind him, he was able to carry his [miss] deed. This might not be the best example but history is full of this that a group does not need a strong moral foundation in order to cause great harm.

'Hambastegi' is the main key to victory 

Mehrdad


Souri

Faramarz jon

by Souri on

you asked that question to Faramarz, but I say my opinion:

"why does NIAC and CASMII are making such a big deal out of a bunch toothless old farts?  "

Because the average Americans (and even some of their senators) don't know yet, what we know about the MKO.

MKO can buy their votes, in this way!

We must talk about their Machiavelism, over and over, to prevent this from happening


Bavafa

Dear MM: The only shame in that ...

by Bavafa on

is to associate the great name of MLK with MEK. How can one celebrate such great man as MLK yet join a rally of a bankrupt, treasonous and murderers group?

'Hambastegi' is the main key to victory 

Mehrdad


Faramarz

Cousin Mehrdad

by Faramarz on

Here is my question to all the intelligent people here.

If MEK is so desperate and bankrupt that has to go to this extent and bring a bunch of free-loaders like the folks in the picture to its rallies, why does NIAC and CASMII are making such a big deal out of a bunch toothless old farts?

Two wrongs do not make a right!


MM

More than just a Sundis and a sandwich, perhaps?

by MM on

Looking at the video, it occured to me that the Friday MEK rally coincided w/ Sunday's MLK memorial celebration in DC.  So, many of these African-Americans would have wanted to be here anyways for sunday's event, but to come in a couple of days earlier and have the trip paid for? Priceless.


Mehrban

And it is this group that has the "Opposition"

by Mehrban on

scared stiff.  We've got a long way to go.


Bavafa

Dear Disenchanted: you will get my vote ...

by Bavafa on

For the best, funniest and most accurate description about this cult not only here but on all other related blogs. I also enjoyed your debate along with Souri khanom debate with MK. Very entertaining indeed.

Cousin Farmarz: very true and good observation

'Hambastegi' is the main key to victory 

Mehrdad


Soosan Khanoom

Nasrin

by Soosan Khanoom on

Please make sure that next time you and your pink cute doggy are going to join them...   Have Masud's picture on the doggy and send us some kodad moments 

lol 


Disenchanted

Freedom fighters to terrorists to traitors to laughing stock!

by Disenchanted on

 

          The picture that is Worth a million words! Thank you for informing us and in fact entertaining us! :-)

          This rally, if you think about it is not about support of MEK or XYZ. This is a rally about economic recession in US. People are so in need that are willing to travel miles for a piece of bread and a drink!

          I'd say even if the society of Iranians for protecting "teapots in solar syatem" calls for a rally they get more people to show up for support than MEK! :-) 


nasrin noor

God bless their hearts for traveling such long distances...

by nasrin noor on

to voice their outrage about the murder IRI regime!
Such nice people!


Truthseeker9

Nothing to worry about

by Truthseeker9 on


Faramarz

Food Party!

by Faramarz on

If you promise people Gheymeh Polo, Sholeh Zard and Sandis, they will show up no matter where you are in the world!


vildemose

Mak! (mordam az

by vildemose on

Mak! (mordam az khandeh) 

Reform requires the consent of the corrupt


Bavafa

I am speechless....

by Bavafa on

In a recent blog here advocating and supporting de-listing of MEK, we were told... well here is in his own words:

MK: Actually, according to my observations, a very large majority of the posters support the de-listing of the PMOI.”

And I didn’t believe him!!!!!!  Well, I guess we can all see the proof for MK assertions and observation about the very large support MEK gets for de-listing.

I just didn’t know that MK travels to so many churches around the country to meet and observe MEK supporters :)

'Hambastegi' is the main key to victory 

Mehrdad

P.S. This is only getting better and better


MM

participants' comments are priceless

by MM on

"But many apparent non-Iranians came out as well, most wearing flags, headbands, and even yellow vests with images of the group’s leaders — Maryam and Massoud Rajavi — on the chest. Of this group, few seemed to have many details about the MEK, and instead pledged vague notions of support for human rights and democracy, often even getting the name of the MEK wrong." Paid?  Souds familiar!