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:
Recently by Ali Lakani | Comments | Date |
---|---|---|
Footage of protests in major cities | 1 | Jun 14, 2009 |
Person | About | Day |
---|---|---|
نسرین ستوده: زندانی روز | Dec 04 | |
Saeed Malekpour: Prisoner of the day | Lawyer says death sentence suspended | Dec 03 |
Majid Tavakoli: Prisoner of the day | Iterview with mother | Dec 02 |
احسان نراقی: جامعه شناس و نویسنده ۱۳۰۵-۱۳۹۱ | Dec 02 | |
Nasrin Sotoudeh: Prisoner of the day | 46 days on hunger strike | Dec 01 |
Nasrin Sotoudeh: Graffiti | In Barcelona | Nov 30 |
گوهر عشقی: مادر ستار بهشتی | Nov 30 | |
Abdollah Momeni: Prisoner of the day | Activist denied leave and family visits for 1.5 years | Nov 30 |
محمد کلالی: یکی از حمله کنندگان به سفارت ایران در برلین | Nov 29 | |
Habibollah Golparipour: Prisoner of the day | Kurdish Activist on Death Row | Nov 28 |
Thinly Veiled Racism
by Shazde Asdola Mirza on Thu Sep 01, 2011 03:07 PM PDTAren't Black Americans, still American?
Can't they support an Iranian cause?
MEK is nothing but bad news
by jasonrobardas on Sun Aug 28, 2011 05:44 AM PDTfor the oppressed people of Iran who are not ready to try another brand of islam .
MK: "As far as I am able to determine"
by Bavafa on Sat Aug 27, 2011 05:34 PM PDTThis is at the heart of the matter, here, that you have shown over and over again that you lack either knowledge, intelligent and/or sincerity to determine facts from fiction and determine things factually.
So many people have provided you with links and evidence to news organization which credible enough to often times be quoted by US politicians in a senate hearings and other discussions and all reveal crimes committed by MEK yet you dismiss them all.
Again, are you not able to see that?
'Hambastegi' is the main key to victory
Mehrdad
B/M
by Masoud Kazemzadeh on Sat Aug 27, 2011 05:04 PM PDTB/M: "MK: Actually, according to my observations, a very large majority of the posters support the de-listing of the PMOI."
He must have been in the same bus to DC :)
Happy journey back home dear MK
======================================
MK: I ignored your earlier post. Most readers of IC are very intelligent and sophisticated. But now that you insist here is my response.
As the quote clearly shows, I wrote POSTERS. In someone’s blog on the subject, I listed and tallied those POSTERS who supported the de-listing and those POSTERS who supported keeping the PMOI on the list. The number of POSTERS who supported de-listing was much higher. Even in that blog, after my tally, the number of the posters who supported de-listing increased much more. The trend appears to have continued. According to my observations, more and more POSTERS on IC appear to support the de-listing.
As far as I am able to determine, all the IC POSTERS who support the de-listing also oppose PMOI. The IC poster who support the de-listing include pro-democracy, monarchist, socialist, and independents.
As far as I am able to determine those who want the PMOI to remain on the list are supporters of IRI (hard-line and reformist), NIAC, CASMII, and some (former or current) supporters of Tudeh Party.
My 2 cents,
Masoud
Hilarious!
by iraj khan on Sat Aug 27, 2011 05:03 PM PDTThe picture of black dude and lady.
The expression on their faces:
"what are we doing here? Let me guess..."
By the end of the piece one of the interviewees lets us know: "We came to Washington for Dr Martin Luter King's cermony".
But this is what my congressman wrote to me today:
"According to the 2009 U.S. State Department report, ...Mojahedin utilizes propaganda and terrorism...
I share your concerns about whether MEK should be removed from State Department's list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations, where it has remained since the list's inception in 1997,
and thus I have not cosponsored H.res.60"
Thank you Congressman.
Now I understand where MK gets his info when he says:
by Bavafa on Sat Aug 27, 2011 04:34 PM PDT"MK: Actually, according to my observations, a very large majority of the posters support the de-listing of the PMOI."
He must have been in the same bus to DC :)
Happy journey back home dear MK
'Hambastegi' is the main key to victory
Mehrdad
Dear Masood: Thank you for
by vildemose on Sat Aug 27, 2011 04:33 PM PDTDear Masood: Thank you for your kind words. Yes, I did last night while I was in bed. The impetus for this revelatory light bulb in my head was Mr. Abarmard and his warped sense of logic.
Reform requires the consent of the corrupt
Want to take us from Gutter to sewer?! No Thanks!
by Disenchanted on Sat Aug 27, 2011 04:26 PM PDTUnholy alliances don't pay off! West joined forces with Osama against Soviets. We know what came of that. You can't fight dictatorship with dictatorship.
Iranian people have been fighting for freedom & democracy for a century now. They have been fooled time and again. Not this time. You should be ashamed to defend a group that by Iranian people standards are traitors and terrorist and by Western standards are authoritarian and religious fanatics.
There is point of no return in politics like many other venues in life. Beyond that your only civil right is a fair prosecution. Beyond that point you don't get to form a party, demonstrate or take part in election. No one offered such rights to Hitler, Saddam, Osama, Mobarak either! Is it really that hard to grasp these concepts and nuances?!
So enough with civil liberty nonsense and naive democratic posturing! You are either simply ignorant and don't know it or have some horses in this game.
+1 Soosan-Khanoom
by BoosBoos on Sat Aug 27, 2011 04:22 PM PDTAgreed.
MK by Soosan Khanoom on Sat Aug 27, 2011 04:14 PM PDT
I feel bad for the American Students who sit at your total biased interpretation of the political subject you teach at the school. Your interpretations are not even in the best interest of the U.S not even Isreal and never mind the Iran !!!!!
NO I do not want you to be blocked
by Soosan Khanoom on Sat Aug 27, 2011 04:17 PM PDTNO I do not want you to be blocked from this site .. I like cats ..
: )
MK
by Soosan Khanoom on Sat Aug 27, 2011 04:14 PM PDTI feel bad for the American Students who sit at your total biased interpretation of the political subject you teach at the school. Your interpretations are not even in the best interest of the U.S not even Isreal and never mind the Iran !!!!!
Have you ever send your resume to Fox news? Seriously, It can be considered for hiring. Who knows you may even end up with a talk show spot of your own, come on do us a favor, you may actually get more fan than just a few you have on this site.
I didn't say they are "Jews" ...
by BoosBoos on Sat Aug 27, 2011 04:15 PM PDTRoozbeh:
Here's what I said:
"An Israeli group called "INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIANS & JEWS" also uses Christian Churches as a front & recruiter for groups like MEK and to skew opinion on the internet. (That's their site below:)
//www.facebook.com/FellowshipFan
MEK/PMOI is the Iranian Government's sworn enemy - they kill each other and have for years ... your statement that they work together is ridiculous.
Soos, why wasting time to name the irrelevants!
by gorbeh pashmalo on Sat Aug 27, 2011 04:13 PM PDTBesides, I wouldn't want to be blocked form the site!
Civil Liberties???
by Tiger Lily on Sat Aug 27, 2011 04:11 PM PDTThey are a question of law and with that come trials for those who have systematically abused the general status quo.
BASTA!
No doubt, the couple in photo are Jews, of worst type...
by Roozbeh_Gilani on Sat Aug 27, 2011 04:08 PM PDTEastern European type!
MKO seem to be yet another tool in the hands of fascist islamist regime to sow divison and cause distraction amongst opposition abroad, from what is happening to our people, back home. Poverty, injustice and rule of theft, murder and thuggery in the name of God, over our ancient land and it's honourable people...
"Personal business must yield to collective interest."
Gorbeh Pashmalo
by Soosan Khanoom on Sat Aug 27, 2011 04:04 PM PDTAre you afraid to name the rest of our gang? What is it are you afraid to be kicked in the butt even harder ?
Lily jaan
by Mehrban on Sat Aug 27, 2011 04:00 PM PDTAs a general matter, I am for upholding the Law.
Thanks For the Civil Libertarian Views
by Masoud Kazemzadeh on Sat Aug 27, 2011 03:54 PM PDTDear Vildemose,
Your comments were fantastic. "Reform requires the consent of the corrupt." Did you write that?
Best,
Masoud
Dear Faramarz,
I fully agree with your comments.
Best,
Masoud
Dear Mehrban,
I fully agree with you.
Best,
Masoud
Dear Gorbeh Pashmalo,
I agree with you.
Best,
Masoud
Dear G. Rahmanian,
I fully agree with you.
Best,
Masoud
Dear Oon Yaroo,
I fully agree with you.
Best,
Masoud
Dear Mehrban,
That was a great story.
Ba sepaas,
Masoud
Mehrban, ;)))
by Tiger Lily on Sat Aug 27, 2011 03:49 PM PDTMy point isn't even about delisting, but about upholding legalities.
That's all we have.
Hired crowds....
P.S. I shall be diiiddy. ;)
I have a joke (bimanzoor of course)
by Mehrban on Sat Aug 27, 2011 03:46 PM PDTThere was an angel going around the world granting wishes. People asked her for all sorts of things, money, fame, love, freedom, intelligence untill she got to Iran and went to a guy that had a hut and said what can I get for you?
The man said nothing angel, I have everything I want and I need but you know, I have a neighbor in the next hut who has a goat could you please kill his goat for me.
Now you relate it to this situation if you can, I sort of can :)
Precisely my point: These are the thugs ...
by Bavafa on Sat Aug 27, 2011 03:39 PM PDTthat would be otherwise used by the power behind the sense to bring even more harm to Iranians who have already endured so much.
Just as last timeS.
'Hambastegi' is the main key to victory
Mehrdad
xoxo
by Soosan Khanoom on Sat Aug 27, 2011 04:23 PM PDTOk suppose you are right
Question:
Who funds the mullahs in Iran to be such assholes that they are ?
Is that too hard to admit that " Az maast ke bar maast "
now what is Zionism after all ? Pursuing a 5000 years old promise of a Holly land !! Now that piece of holy land which I would rather call it a piece of shit is also mullahs vacation spot ...... GO figure
What is the crime of the rest of us who should suffer for the fight betwen these two extremists?
Funny!
by G. Rahmanian on Sat Aug 27, 2011 03:24 PM PDTThe verdict on PMOI leaders is out even before the trial begins! It seems the motto of these individuals is, "Down with Democracy! Long Live Hypocrisy!"
Marg Bar Saman and Kambiz? ... not exactly ...
by BoosBoos on Sat Aug 27, 2011 03:25 PM PDTI don't have an issue directly with Saman and Kambiz (yes they're funny), but their programming is also directed, funded by and tailored by the U.S. Government to serve the policy objectives of the U.S. Government.
In the United States, airing a program produced by a U.S. public diplomacy radio or television station such as VOA directly to the US public is illegal. Under the Smith-Mundt Act if a United States Information Agency (USIA)'s materials were DIRECTLY broadcast to Americans, it would be no different than official propaganda.
//www.readwriteweb.com/archives/will_twitter_become_the_new_voice_of_america_propa.php
You will see under the law that all VOA & Parazit broadcasting is officially recognized as propaganda in the information war:
Full Text of the Law:
//us-code.vlex.com/source/us-code-foreign-relations-intercous-1021/toc/19
An Israeli group called "INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIANS & JEWS" also uses Christian Churches as a front & recruiter for groups like MEK and to skew opinion on the internet.
//www.facebook.com/FellowshipFan
IF IRANIANS WANT ANY MEASURE OF INDEPENDENCE, THEY NEED TO WAKE UP TO THESE TACTICS.
You hear me! These guys have every right to demonstrate!
by Oon Yaroo on Sat Aug 27, 2011 03:22 PM PDTSo do you! Let's see if Tiger, Soosan, MM, and the rest of the gang would get on a bus and travel for 1000 miles to DC to demonstrate for their cause be it IRI, NIAC or any other organization!?
Live and let live!
Thank You Pashm-aloo and Uncle G.
by Faramarz on Sat Aug 27, 2011 03:10 PM PDTYou know we have crossed into the absurd when folks talk about boycotting Parazit, Saman and Kambiz! Let's watch Press TV instead!
Cousin Mehrdad,
Shaboon bi-mokh was not the main force behind the coup on that day. There were all kinds of alignments against Mossadegh, including Ayatollah Kashani, Tudeh Party, etc. A lot has been written about this topic, so I just leave it at that.
Faramarz jon
by Souri on Sat Aug 27, 2011 03:13 PM PDTYou are talking of sympathizers (or members who live peacefully in the West) we are talking about their leaders and the brain-washed group who still live in camp Ashraf!
There is lots of difference!
Their number is very high and if they let be free to continue their activities, they will harm our youth! These people are capable of anything to get where they want. It is like opening a (domal e cherki) sorry I don't know the equivalent in Persian.
The leaders must be captured and imprisoned, the Ashraf residents, however, must get a serious mental help with skilled therapists.
Just couple of years ago, I have encountered two brothers who have fleed Camp Ashraf to come to the West. Can you imagind that they didn't know even that internet existed? Didn't know what it is and how it works.....
There's a lot to be said about this organization.....but it makes me really angry and sad.
Also, it will be so repetative. everybody has said almost everything about them. I just want the trial of the leaders.
You think that the MKO are the only rebells who have endured such crimes by the regime? You think they are the only group (or personnes) who are motivated against the regime by vengance?
Mistake!
"Churches" that Fund MEK
by BoosBoos on Sat Aug 27, 2011 03:08 PM PDTAn Israeli group called "INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIANS & JEWS" uses Christian Churches as a front & recruiter for bringing people to these rallies.
They also tell people what to say, which sites to blog on etc. (likely including this site) -- here's the information (but I'm sure some of you already have it).
//www.facebook.com/FellowshipFan
//www.ifcj.org/site/PageNavigator/eng/USENG_homenew
XOXO on Parazit
by Soosan Khanoom on Sat Aug 27, 2011 03:08 PM PDTThe issues inside Iran are caused for example by a talk in Friday prayers or an action taken by the city hall in city of Sari....
Those who talk and act like that whom, by the way, are too many to count in today's Iran, from the VF himself to thugs on the streets, are probably more of a zionist agents that these two.
Hi lily, by the way, I want Dirty back, I could be friends with
by Mehrban on Sat Aug 27, 2011 03:14 PM PDTher but you......I just have to look at from afar with amusement ;).
Lily jaan, who says the delisting of this really kinda rag tag group would translate into them running Iran. That is a quantum leap.
Locking an old (truely annoying) distant relative (metaphoric) in the basement does not bring us freedom.
The opposition got to get out there and be better than them Judging from this video it should not be too hard. I would vote for delisting, partly because it could be be a kick in the pants for the rest of the opposition to work harder, if we have been working at all.
Honestly for a group like the one depicted in the video, I have to say that it makes this highly orchestrated effort to block their delisting a little .....well you get the idea.