In an act of protest against the threats of military intervention by the U.S and its allies in Iran, five Iranian asylum seekers 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 arrived in Oxford yesterday, and left for London this morning looking tired, but encouraged by their welcome.
The five men - who range from a journalist to a ship engineer - say they are fully supported by their families and their communities. They are carrying placards asking for the troops to be withdrawn, and pleading for an end to US and UK aggression.
They 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 republic 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 Republic regime in Iran. However, they have been banned by the Stop the War Committee from publically criticising the current regime.
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.
The marchers are currently heading for High Wycombe, and then on to London.
You can support these asylum seekers by contacting:
Arash Shakib on 07973-945873
Or e-mail
asimport@hotmail.com
Political Association of Iranian Refugees Arash Shakib (Chair ) 8th March 2005
They 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 republic 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 Republic regime in Iran. However, they have been banned by the Stop the War Committee from publically criticising the current regime.
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.
The marchers are currently heading for High Wycombe, and then on to London.
You can support these asylum seekers by contacting:
Arash Shakib on 07973-945873
Or e-mail
asimport@hotmail.com Political Association of Iranian Refugees Arash Shakib (Chair ) 8th March 2005
e-mail:
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Comments
Hide the following 6 comments
Amazing
16.03.2005 15:48
Cynic Al
Dark Age Al
16.03.2005 17:09
Mr Spoon
MISSED THE POINT COMPLETELY
16.03.2005 17:54
No 'we' are not a 'bad country' - we have a shitty government which is demonising Muslim people as terrorists, imposing increasingly draconian legislation, and quite probably planning to back the Bush regime in its next round of imperialist, asset grabbing slaughter (why stop now?).
obvious
Now I see
16.03.2005 19:14
Yes I can see how that makes sense now, thanks for clearing that up for me.
Of course I suppose it's possible these young men came to Britain seeking the advantages of our benefit system and free health service which they have made no contribution too......... no, no of course not what was I thinking, why to even suggest that would enable others to throw the catch all charge of racist at me there stifiling debate and comment.
Cynic Al
UK FREEBIES !!!!
16.03.2005 20:24
darrall vernon
e-mail:
darrall@btclick.com
asylum seekers are not to blame, just the latest scapegoats
17.03.2005 13:53
This is the game politicians always play: divide-and-rule. Back in the 80s miners and trade unionists were the enemy within. In the 90s it was single parents who were the root of every social ill. Now it's all asylum seekers' fault. Some time soon that'll get old and they'll have to pick a new scapegoat. (Perhaps The Sun's hate campaign against Travellers gives us a clue who might be next?)
And it's all such an obvious lazy easy bit of unprincipled buck-passing when you think about it. Politicians would rather do anything to avoid responsibility for their decisions and get us blaming some convenient group of outsiders. We should resist.
Committee to Defend Asylum Seekers:
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