They are protesting the human rights violations in Iran, their interference in other countries of the middle east and the continued nuclear tests in spite of UN resolutions. Iran has funded terrorist groups like Hezbollah in Yemen, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) within its own country and the attacks on political dissidents in Camp Liberty.
Former White House Director of Public Liaison Linda Chavez, who opened the Grand Iranian Gathering, said: “Let’s honour and commend the bravery and dedication of Camp Liberty residents. We all know that Camp Liberty came under heavy missile attacks on July 4th, which left vast destruction and dozens of injuries. The Mullahs perpetrating this attack showed that what threatens them the most and what are they afraid of the most. Therefore, let’s make it clear to the mullahs that nothing can and would prevent the Iranian Resistance from forging ahead for democracy and freedom in Iran.”
The rally, organised by The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), wants to shine a light on the discrimination of women, ethnic minorities and the rate of executions in the state.
U.S. Sen. John Boozman said that he was ‘disturbed’ by the increasing number of human rights violations in Iran. He congratulated the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI) for its role in exposing Iran’s nuclear program. He praised Maryam Rajavi, the president-elect of the NCRI and PMOI, for her “advocacy of democracy, human and women’s rights in Iran.”
Saudi Prince Turki Al Faisal, the Chairman of the Board of the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies, said: “Maryam Rajavi, your endeavour to rid your people of the Khomeinist cancer is an historic epic that…will remain inscribed the annals of History.”
Maryam Rajavi said that the attendees of the Paris convention represented the voice of millions of oppressed Iranians who want freedom and democracy. She expects the next U.S. President and other western leaders to stand with the Iranian people and stop appeasing the Tehran regime.
In a piece written for the Huffington Post, Dr. Majid Rafizadeh, President of the International American Council, said: “Iranian leaders are concerned that more politicians and governments, particularly the next US administration, might endorse NCRI, the Iranian resistance, and the Iranian dissidents.”
Other high-profile American figures were former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former ambassadors to the United Nations John Bolton, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former FBI Director Louis Freeh.
