‘Keep the pressure’: Protest in Winnipeg to support Iranians fighting oppression

More than 200 Winnipeggers gathered at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights Saturday to show support for protesters in Iran.

Demonstrators called on Canada to take swift action against the Iranian government for violations of human rights, as women and girls there fight against oppression.

Protests were sparked in Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini last month while in costudy of Iran’s so-called morality police for reportedly wearing her hijab wrong.

Thousands have taken to the streets in Iran and across the globe in response. In Winnipeg, demonstrators also called for the expulsion of Iranian ambassadors and diplomats from Canada.

“We must not allow it to continue, because a free Iran will not only affect Iranians, it will affect everyone in the world,” said Arian Arianpour, the president of the Iranian Community of Manitoba.

“We will not rest until the day that the violent crackdown on Iranian protesters has stopped.”

Norway-based Iran Human Rights Watch reports at least 215 people have been killed during the demonstrations.

Arianpour says people in Canada need to call on the federal government for change – now more than ever.

He says Canada needs to ensure those dealing with the oppressive regime face consequences.

“People in Iran are not backing down, so it would be a shame for us, here in a free democratic country, to back down,” said Arianpour. “This is the least we can do. We will keep the pressure, we will keep our voice up, because while so much has been done, so much more can be done.”

Zahleh Parsaei, whose family is still in Iran, wishes she was back home to take part in what those present called a revolution.

“I really wish if I could be in Iran now in the street with the young people and the women. And this is I think the minimum thing I can do here for people in Iran, because while I’m out of Iran, my heart and everything is still with them,” she said.

Parsaei says the international community must ensure those in Iran are heard and not silenced as government cracks down on communication and media, with frequent internet shutdowns and blackouts in that country.

“We are here to be their voice, because the internet and everything is shut down there,” she added.

WATCH: Canada announces new sanctions on Iran, Iranian regime

Canada has already implemented sanctions on more than 250 Iranian individuals and entities, with the most recent announced earlier this week, including Iran’s Deputy Interior Minister.

Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly says the government is putting its full support behind demonstrators.

“Over the past few weeks, we’ve witnessed the courage of Iranian women, youth and citizens from all walks of life as they risked their lives to demand their human rights,” said Joly. “Canada will continue to support them by using all tools at our disposal to respond to the Iranian regime’s violations of human rights and its threats to regional peace and security.”