Watching the tragic and horrible killing of George Floyd, a black man who literally begged the police for his life, fills my heart with pain and sorrow.
George Floyd has become a martyr for Black Lives Matter, but no human being should have to die for meaningful change to happen. Every life is precious regardless of gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, or political opinion. No matter where you live in the world, we have a moral obligation to speak out and take action against all human rights abuses.
In the Islamic Republic of Iran, the state-sponsored suppression of human rights and social change has sadly become normalized. The Revolutionary Guards and other agents of the government serve and protect only the regime. We, the Iranian people, are trying to breathe with a knee on our necks.
I was inspired by the thousands and thousands of peaceful protestors in the United States and in many other countries around the world marching on the streets to demand justice for black lives. Human rights do not recognize borders and are a global issue that concern all human beings. We cannot stay silent.
It is unlawful for any government to respond to peaceful protests with tear gas, beatings, bullets, and imprisonment whether in Iran or the United States. A government that relies on force for its survival lacks legitimate authority to govern and will eventually fall, but until that happens, we must never stop demanding justice and positive change.
I urge all Iranians, especially those who have taken refuge in Canada from the oppression of the Islamic regime, to demand human rights and positive change in Iran. It is our responsibility to be the voices for Iranians inside Iran who are being silenced by this unlawful regime.
