January 1, Iran Protesters Confront UN Over Regime’s Platform

Wyatt’s Take

• Iranian Americans rallied outside the UN while Iran’s president blamed the U.S. for violence.
• Protesters called out the UN for giving Iran’s regime a voice despite human rights abuses.
• Many called for more action to support freedom and democracy in Iran.

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian went before the UN and accused America and Israel of “savage aggression.” He claimed striking Iran’s nuclear sites was against international law and killed innocent people.

But outside, Iranian Americans gathered in huge numbers, waving flags and saying Pezeshkian does not speak for regular Iranians. Protesters branded the regime as murderers and rejected their spot at the UN.

Mitra Samani, once jailed by the Iranian regime, said, “We are here to say that the seat in the U.N. doesn’t belong to those murderous regime agents. It belongs to the people of Iran and their representatives, and we believe that is the National Council of Resistance of Iran.” She attends every year to honor lost friends.

Nasser Sharif, from the Iranian American Community of California, said folks from 40 states joined the protest. He told reporters, “We’re here to support the Iranian Resistance, the National Council of Resistance of Iran, and to condemn the regime for its crimes against humanity.” He urged the U.S. to back everyday Iranians seeking democracy.

Alireza Jafarzadeh called the protest “an impressive show of force.” He said, “Thousands of protesters supported the overthrow of the Iranian regime by the Iranian people, with no need for foreign boots on the ground or providing money and arms.” He also slammed the UN for letting Tehran take part in human rights proceedings: “It is appalling to see the world’s leading executioner play any role in any U.N. body dealing with human rights. It is like appointing a serial killer as a judge to rule on his own murders.”

Richard Goldberg, a national security advisor, didn’t hold back: “The U.N. is a lot like the Netflix show ‘Stranger Things.’ You walk through the door, the characters are the same, but it’s a horrifying alternative reality where a tyrannical, women-oppressing, nuclear-weapons-pursuing regime can serve as a leader of human rights, women’s rights and nuclear nonproliferation organizations.” He noted Iran’s president arrived in New York with no real support and faces tough sanctions that could hit the regime hard.

Behnam Ben Taleblu called the president’s speech “short but not sweet.” He pointed out the hypocrisy of Iran leading international groups while blocking honest oversight: “Can there be something more ironic than the Islamic Republic of Iran, which has long been a proliferator and seeking a nuclear weapon, being a vice president of the IAEA?” Taleblu also said recent comments by Iran’s Supreme Leader made it clear the regime won’t talk with America on fair terms.

The protest showed that Americans and those who have suffered under tyranny won’t be silent while the regime tries to present a different face to the world.

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Wyatt Matters

Folks in the heartland know you can’t let bullies rewrite the truth while stifling freedom. Standing up to tyranny and supporting voices for liberty is what America’s always been about.

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