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Iranian asylum seekers join Oxford discussion on threats to UK civil liberties

Nuala Young (posted by Eileen) | 15.03.2005 09:46 | Anti-militarism | Repression | Social Struggles | Oxford

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TONIGHT'S EVENT IN THE TOWN HALL

On Tuesday 15th March 5 Iranian refugees arrive in Oxford on the
march from Birmingham to join next Saturday's anti-war demonstration in
London. They are protesting that military aggression towards Iran will
undermine any moves towards liberalism in the country. They will be staying
in Oxford overnight.

They will speak at the beginning of a meeting in Oxford Town Hall at 7.30,
oprganised already by Respect as a public meeting on threats to civil
liberty contained in current government policy. The Iranians will probably
speak before that part of the meeting begins. The meeting is open and we
already know that Labour and Green party members and other non-Respect
members and suppporters will be there to hear the Iranians. You are welcome
too.

BACKGROUND INFO ON THE IRANIAN ASYLUM-SEEKERS PROTEST

In an act of protest against the threats of military intervention by the U.S
and its allies in Iran, five Iranian asylum seekers will set off on foot
from Birmingham on the 12th of March to join the national anti- war
demonstration in London on the 19th of March. They will be walking through
Coventry, Banbury, Oxford, High Wycombe and then on to London.
These asylum seekers want to bring to the attention of the public and media
that the threats by the U.S and allies to intervene in Iran will
significantly weaken a growing movement for democracy in Iran that seeks to
overthrow the reactionary Islamic regime. The legacy of foreign
interventions especially those of the U.S and U.K in suppressing past
democratic movements in Iran mean that this growing movement would have to
divert part of its energy to oppose and resist any intervention by foreign
governments.

The asylum seekers taking part in this walk consider themselves part of this
movement for democracy in Iran, and through their protest are appealing to
the progressive and freedom loving people in Britain to support their
struggle against the barbaric Islamic regime in Iran.
The British government is currently playing a devious game of claiming to
support democracy in Iran whilst refusing asylum applications of many
Iranians who came to Britain after being forced to flee Iran where they were
working for democracy. We ask the British public to support this walk and
the greater democratic movement in Iran by opposing the threat of
intervention by the U.S and its allies.


You can support these asylum seekers by contacting: Arash Shakib on
07973-945873
Or e-mail  asimport@hotmail.com



Nuala Young (posted by Eileen)
- e-mail: asimport@hotmail.com