Tuesday, June 23, 2009
UPDATED photo gallery: Protestors at City Hall say it ‘isn’t about the Iranian election anymore’
Updated 12:21 p.m., July 2, 2009
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DALLAS — Editor's Note: After this was published, one protester requested her name be taken out of the story. "I just don't know what kind of retaliation I might experience," she said. Thanks to her for sharing her story initially.
Photo Gallery
Protestors meet in Downtown Dallas and support Iranian justice
Several hundred Dallasites clad in green gathered Tuesday afternoon to protest the results of the recent Iranian election and beg for peace. Protestors draped themselves in the Iranian flag -- which was banned in Iran on Election Day -- and carried gruesome signs remembering Neda, an young woman who died walking to a demonstration in Iran.
Many protesters in Dallas were enraged that ballots were not issued to their Dallas homes, leaving many chanting, "Where's my vote?"
The protest in Dallas was peaceful, said a bike cop circling the perimeter. Cops were scattered around City Hall on bikes and in squad cars, but their biggest confrontation was quieting a few overheated homeless guys. (Overheated both by the issue at hand and by the sweaty sun, we mean.)
One protestor who lived her first 21 years in Tehran, Iran said she and her family members came to protest more than just the “unjust election,” she said, asking not to be named. “I plead the message that the people of Iran hate Ahmadinejad. But this isn't about the election. This is about a regime change … I feel like Iran isn't my country any more.”
The protest included several speakers who encouraged people to embrace freedom and denounce the dictator. John Neddermann, a Southlake resident and American citizen, presented a message of unification: “I was born in America and my ancestors are Dutch and German,” he said. “So what does it matter to me? I want to stand with them. This is a historic time for the Middle East and for these people.”
Photo by Sarah Blaskovich
"A lot of what Anglo-Americans know about Iran from the last 30 years is that they haven't been happy years," says John Nedderman of Southlake. "But Iran has a long history. I have friends who are Iranian-American. I want to stand with them."
Photo by Sarah Blaskovich
"I feel for my family in Iran," says a protestor, standing with his mother. "It's like you can't breathe there, and it makes me appreciate America so much."
His mother tells us that her profession as a computer programmer wouldn't be possible if she hadn't left Iran. "I couldn't be who I am right now if I was in Iran. We have been waiting 30 years, and I say down with Ahmadinejad. Enough is enough," she says.
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Comments
alexander troup Verified
Facinating protest yesterday, even the Homeland security was there....I would observe from areas not as open and frank..while it is a City Hall and the Iran event is critical news to observe after 30 years.....A/T, To hot to protest.....
4 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
ch0 Anonymous
Much love to the Persians! Free Iran!
4 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
alexander troup Verified
WELL ...that chainting was pretty refined, like prayer rug music and heavy ....long noises that had a very buzzzy affect...I have a lot of respect for these people too be out in this kind of weather.....A/T,... 30 Years later from Carter to Obamma, let the good will contiune to exist while they find changes in their goverment.......
4 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
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