She called the work done by the National Council of Resistance in Iran (NCRI), and its President-elect, Maryam Rajavi increasingly important in the face of violent extremism and Iran’s oppressive regime. “You stand for gender equality, Mrs. Rajavi, against a misogynist regime. You have suffered for that.”

Townsend said she was proud to stand with the women of the movement, as well as the women of Camp Liberty.  She cited the recent rise of horrific acid attacks meant to intimidate and silence women, and said, “I am proud to be your voice and I stand with you.”

She concluded, “You here today, those in Camp Liberty and in Ashraf before them, you are the future of Iran. You are the voice of Iran. Tehran hears you today and the world.”

Camp Liberty houses members of the main Iranian opposition group People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI or MEK) in Iraq.