FORIRAN

PRESS RELEASE

Iran Caravans for Peace and Freedom Join All Freedom Loving Iranians and World Citizens at the UN on September 23 to Protest the Illegal Presence of Mahmoud Ahamdinejad and to Demand Freedom and Democracy for Iranian People

Where: Dag Hammarsskjold Plaza, First Ave. and 47th St., Manhattan, New YorkWhen: September 23, 2009, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

The Iranian people's protests following the June 12 elections continue despite a government crackdown that has resulted in the death of dozens of protesters and the detention of hundreds more.

With Mahmoud Ahmadinejad scheduled to address the United Nations General Assembly on September 23rd, thousands of Iranians from the United States, Canada and around the world are converging on New York City in a show of solidarity. What is that unites so many disparate groups: their love for the Iranian people and the cry for a free, democratic, prosperous and peaceful Iran.

As one of the groups converging on New York, the Iran Peace and Freedom Caravans, including a Caravan of former political prisoners under the Islamic Republic, are proud of the courage of their compatriots and determined to guard the flame of hope lit by the faith and sacrifice of the Iranian people, particularly Iran's youth. Never again will we permit the future of Iran--the faith, spirit, life and love of our children--to be violated behind the Islamic Republic's veil of duplicity and violence. Nor will we permit their life, their faces, their hopes and dreams to be extinguished.

Inspired by world renowned photographer, Reza Deghati, the protesters in New York will hold 1,000 images of Neda Agha Soltan during Ahmadinejad's attendance and speech at the United Nations a number of times between 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. The images will link the protests in New York to Paris and other capitals as a sign of global solidarity and support for protesters inside Iran.

Joined by many prominent Iranians, including Nazanin Afshin-Jam, the Canadian-Iranian beauty queen whose work on Stopping Child Executions in Iran has been recognized by governments and people around the world, Caravans will call on the Islamic Republic to release all political prisoners held in Iran's notorious Evin prison as well as secret detention centers.

We also reject as contrary to the judicial practice and humanitarian teachings the coercion of false confessions, fabrication of evidence, torture and rape of the Iranian people for contesting fraud and rejecting falsehood: the results of the 2009 elections. We call on the United Nations to establish a special rapporteur to investigate allegations of rape and torture in Iran's prisons as well as reports of secret burial of victims by security forces. Such practices are in violation of the Charter of the United Nations and the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

We urge world leaders to demonstrate their solidarity with the Iranian people by joining our Carvans in defending the sacred ideals that unite all of humanity in rejecting violence and aggression against the Iranian people. Iranians from all creeds and faiths, no matter what their race, gender, age or politics, stand united against tyranny and terrorism.

We believe that the surest way to secure peace and prosperity in the Middle East is to stand resolute in securing the civil and human rights of the Iranian people to an accountable democratic government elected by the direct vote of people whose leaders honor the oath of their office by protecting the life, reflecting the humanity and advancing the future of all Iranians as well as their neighbors.

Note About Caravans: We do not accept funding or support from any government and are not affiliated with any institution or organization. We wish to extend our gratitude to Omid for Iran as well as countless individuals for donations and tireless work. Together we strive for a better future for a free and democratic Iran that is secure, prosperous and at peace with the world.