The December 4 event, called “Iran Uprising: The Nation Rises for Freedom”, featured speeches from  Senator Martha McSally (R-AZ), Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), former National Security Advisor to President Barack Obama General James Jones, former US Homeland Security Secretary Governor Tom Ridge, and former US Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Ambassador Lincoln Bloomfield Jr.

During the event, planned by the Organization of Iranian American Communities (OIAC), the speakers said that they “stand with” the Iranian people “in their fight for freedom.

McSally said: “Our European partners need to step up… You’re seeing that in the bravery of the Iranian people right now…We need to continue to crank up the pressure on the regime until the Iranian people are finally free.”

While Cardin, whose statement was read out by his staff, said: “Despite the regime’s best efforts to hide its activities, the world is watching… I will never cease pursuing accountability for Iranian officials who violate human rights or benefit from corruption… The world is witness to Iran’s murderous reprisals against its own people, and that we speak with one voice and demanding an immediate end to the bloodshed.”

Iranian opposition leader Maryam Rajavi, who sent a video message to the conference, spoke about the “ruthless” nature of the mullahs, having murdered over 1,000 protesters in the streets, since November 15.

She said: “I urge all U.S. lawmakers to compel the clerical regime to stop torture and execution of those arrested during the Iran uprising. US lawmakers can lead this initiative… The people of Iran expect the US Congress, the United States, the European Union, and all governments to recognize the struggle and the resistance of the Iranian people to overthrow the clerical regime.”

Rajavi then spoke about how the Iranian Resistance was ready and willing to overthrow the mullahs, as is the desire of the Iranian people, and rule in their place until elections could be held.

While Jones said: “The [Iranian Resistance has] a coalition that has democratically elected a leader. They have Jeffersonian democratic principles. It is something that we should celebrate… and I look forward to being with you in Tehran one of these days.”

Tim Ghaemi delivered a message for the OIAC calling on the US to “take tangible steps to the side with the protesters. One example is to prevent the Iranian regime from cutting off the Internet [and] introduce a language in no uncertain terms to hold the regime accountable for its crimes, side with the protesters who seek nothing but freedom, and to recognize the right of the Iranian people to unseat their repressive rulers.”