On Saturday 28th August thousands of campaign groups, activists and ordinary people took to the streets of 111 different cities around the world to protest against the act of stoning, and call for the release of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani and over 50 others currently being held awaiting their sentence of death by stoning.
Please read on for details of the actions taken by AIM members and a few of my favourite highlights from some of the other cities involved.
Glasgow, UK
AIM members AK47, Santa Maria, Lilith, Rainbow Castro and Olive Green plus approx 10 AIM supporters gather almost 500 signatures.
Niagara Falls, Canada
AIM member Coffy is invited to speak on behalf of The AIM at the rally.
San Juan, Puerto Rico
AIM member Mother Justice and a local activist take to the streets.
100 Cities Events Highlights
Iranian city of Rahsht takes part in event:
Sakineh's son live on phone to Washington DC protest:
Translation:
“Greetings to everyone who participated in my mom’s demonstration and those who have pictures of her in their hands. I want to say that we love you very much and I am thankful for your kindness and attention. The news that sometime ago was put out by the Human Rights Office of the Judiciary is an absolute lie, and we have noticed that my mom’s file has now been lost. The Islamic Republic has altered the file and they have entered Mr. Kian’s home (my mom’s lawyer) and all of the documents have been taken away, even his laptop and other belongings. And then they went to my mom and by beating her, forced her to say certain things. We want from the whole world to help us in this ordeal. All of those people who are supporting us in Iran, such as Mr. Kian, they are in danger. And once again, I thank everybody.”
In Bradford, England a small protest takes place despite violent EDL protest and heavy police presence:
Glasgow resident Omar Ibrahim was so concerned that the racist and often violent
EDL would be a poor reflection on what we wished to achieve on this day of action that he had a banner made for Sakineh and travelled to Bradford to demonstrate against stoning and against fascism. His event report is here.
Report from Omar Ibrahim, Bradford, UK
I was part of a small demonstration in Bradford today for the Free Sakineh campaign and against stoning as part of the 100 cities against stoning campaign. The problem was that policing measures on the day, due to an English Defence League (EDL) protest in the city that day.
800 members of the far-right EDL held a demonstration against militant Islam. The problem is their policy on human rights abuses in Islamic countries is that its fine. They believe the problem is the growing muslim population in the UK and they were proven wrong today.
The EDL had their demonstration and fought police, local people and their own muslims but were ultimately ignorant of one thing that much of Bradford understood. That the stoning and torture of citizens by any state is wrong.
I was going to Bradford to protest the EDL but am a supporter of the campaign and felt it relevant to bring this up in Bradford at the anti-racist demonstrations. I talked to locals, especially muslim youth about the demonstrations and the case. Some knew of the case already and were supporters.
However, most were not willing to have a photo taken with the banner due to the tension in the city on the day. One man volunteered to have a picture taken holding the Free Sakineh banner that I had made in front of the police cordon that impeded our protest.
We unfurled the banner to cheers and applause from the anti-racist demonstrators. Anti-racists and muslim youth in Bradford know about Sakineh's case.
The campaign against stoning has our support.
One man in Tres Pontas, Minas Gerais, Brazil organises events in 5 towns in his area:
EDL would be a poor reflection on what we wished to achieve on this day of action that he had a banner made for Sakineh and travelled to Bradford to demonstrate against stoning and against fascism. His event report is here.
Report from Omar Ibrahim, Bradford, UK
I was part of a small demonstration in Bradford today for the Free Sakineh campaign and against stoning as part of the 100 cities against stoning campaign. The problem was that policing measures on the day, due to an English Defence League (EDL) protest in the city that day.
800 members of the far-right EDL held a demonstration against militant Islam. The problem is their policy on human rights abuses in Islamic countries is that its fine. They believe the problem is the growing muslim population in the UK and they were proven wrong today.
The EDL had their demonstration and fought police, local people and their own muslims but were ultimately ignorant of one thing that much of Bradford understood. That the stoning and torture of citizens by any state is wrong.
I was going to Bradford to protest the EDL but am a supporter of the campaign and felt it relevant to bring this up in Bradford at the anti-racist demonstrations. I talked to locals, especially muslim youth about the demonstrations and the case. Some knew of the case already and were supporters.
However, most were not willing to have a photo taken with the banner due to the tension in the city on the day. One man volunteered to have a picture taken holding the Free Sakineh banner that I had made in front of the police cordon that impeded our protest.
We unfurled the banner to cheers and applause from the anti-racist demonstrators. Anti-racists and muslim youth in Bradford know about Sakineh's case.
The campaign against stoning has our support.
One man in Tres Pontas, Minas Gerais, Brazil organises events in 5 towns in his area:
In total 111 cities and towns completed over 114 actions in support of Sakineh and against stoning.
Thank you to ALL who were involved in organising, attending and acting on the protests.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment