Hundreds gather in Westwood to protest Iran election

Hundreds of demonstrators have gathered in front of the Federal Building in Westwood today, the latest in a string of local protests over allegations of voter fraud in the June 12 Iranian election.

Demonstrators are holding signs that read “stop the killing” in a showing of solidarity for protesters in Iran who are facing a violent crackdown against challenges to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's reelection.

“I personally feel this is [a] movement. It’s an awakening,” said a 28-year-old USC student with family in Iran. “It’s not going to go away by cracking down on people.”

The controversy has brought together a cross-section of the expatriate community in the Los Angeles area, home to one of the largest Iranian American communities in the U.S. Westwood protesters include recent immigrants and expatriates who left Iran as children. 

The demonstration, scheduled to run until 1 p.m., was organized by word-of-mouth and through messages on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

Iranian students and exiles in Southern California have been using the Internet to relay news about the protest movement to friends and relatives in Iran, where authorities have tried to cut off the supply of information by blocking opposition websites, jamming satellite TV channels and banning journalists.

-- Phil Willon

Photo: Demonstrators line Wilshire Blvd. at Veteran Ave. in Westwood in a display of solidarity with the people of Iran who believe their presidential election was rigged. Credit: Los Angeles Times

Comments

[DingTank]

Not until Iranian expatriots start talking about the terrorism that Iran has been proliferating throughout the world will I support anything regarding that country on either side.

[dodger tony]

If the events in Tehran continue unabated, and if somehow a full scale revolution ensues, is there the possibility of total destabilization in Iran? Could this then lead to a battle for a foothold in the region by elements bent on removing the ruling elite and attempting, by means of violent coercion, to return Iran to an ally of Western interests? If this is what is happening, apart from the internal dissent, then could Khameini and Ahmadenejad request similar aid from Russia? Are we seeing the beginnings of a critical geopolitical earthquake which could lead to unimaginable consequences for the people of Iran and for the rest of the world?

[Jon Raymond]

Ok I support them. But why protest the US federal building? What is the US supposed to do, bomb Iran like McCain wants? Start another war?

This is all a right wing media diversion (evidenced by Fox News' exuberant coverage) from the real issue, the American free market preemptive racist genocidal wars that continue in Iraq and Afghanistan with no end in sight. 1.5 million dead innocent Iraqis (or "hogies" as the military calls them), mostly by American bombs. The same continues in Afghanistan.

http://stopwar.lafilmonline.com

[Westwood Resident]

These Protesters have been disturbing my neighborhood with these useless protests for 7 days straight W/ the ridiculous non-stop honking. If they really wanted to do something that mattered they would fly back to Iran and protest there. THIS NEEDS TO STOP NOW.

[Westwood]

You guys need to cut out the noise. I originally supported your cause, however 7 days of non-stop horn honking and disturbing the residents is causing nothing but annoyance. In addition if you truely wanted to do something you would go back to IRAN and protest there. Stop this useless cry for attention annoyance now before you convince people to root AGAINST your cause.

[EarthLing]

No problem with people protesting, BUT, there were a lot of Iranians coming out onto Wilshire, or their compatriots stopping to cheer with them blocking traffic. Why is the Iranians do this when every other group that protests in Westwood are able to contain themselves? I'd say in this case the LAPD should start arresting people, heavily fining drivers for causing dangerous situations, and send the protesters home. Ironic isn't it though? That we'd have to do that here in the US as opposed to Iran, because here we let them but they can't FOLLOW BASIC RULES.

[mae khosrova]

Mr.Ding Tank,
I don't think Iranians need your support any ways, think of your support of terrorism else where!!!

[truth to power]

DingTank... what about the terrorism that the U.S.A. has been exporting for over a hundred years?

[Anton]

It is wise that Iran shall resolve election votes disputes by itself peacefully.

It is time now for Iran to move on, get over it, to focus on the real enemy.

Many European companies active in Iran are quietly hoping the country resolves the crisis soon.

It is obvious that the USis trying to stir things up by interference through Internet and cell phones with the propaganda supporting democracy for the Iranian people.

Israel with unbreakable bond with the US likes to see Iran to go down.

[Clark]

There is plenty of polls before the elections showing the current president was way ahead! What do you say about that? Just because you don't think he won 2 out of 3 votes, well that is exactly what the polls showed would happen and it did.

[Roxi]

This is in response to the comments complaining of the traffic slowing and the honking, and commenting that if Iranians want to do this they should move back to Iran. Obviously you have never lived in a tyrannic dictatorship and don't understand what "moving back" to such a tyranny actually means. Many people live here because they CAN not live there with any freedom. They are not living here to make your life hell, or make you 5 minute late in an already bad traffic. And going to streets and demonstrating here is to show solidarity to people in Iran. People in Iran are using internet access to mobilize themselves there and run a revolution, and through the same interenet they seek sources here. Seeing their countrymen in exile having rallies for them, will give them a new power and a new strength. So before you complain about the little addition to your traffic today, or the few honks that bothered your ear for a few days, open your eyes and see what this really means, and what pain and torture is happening in the world. The Iranian community has been very constructive and contributing a lot to southern California and I am sure you really didn't mean it when you said "why don't you just move back to your country"

[kamyar]

To the resident in westwood: This is a good time to SHUT your trap. Nobody wants to hear from the likes of you at this particular juncture. Free country, remember?

[MercyMe]

My God stop this protesting. What is protesting going to do here in the US for them in Iran nothing absolutely nothing. They're like wild animals there in Iran, crazy people. They're asking to get hurt. I don't feel sorry for them at all. Animals, animals, not the way humans need to act.
Armedijad won.

[An american]

To the poor Westwood residents: Boo Hoo, your peace is disturbed for a few hours a day by protests. Boo Hoo, traffic is a little more snarled than it normally is. People are dying for the freedoms that we take for granted every day in this country and the American people are so apathetic, they are more worried about the inconvenience these protests pose than people losing their lives. Shame on you!

[meta4]

You do realize that Iran is now demonstrating direct democracy? All you haters on this list sound like sheep who only understand following rules. If you had been around in the 1770s you would have supported the crown. If only Americans had risen up like this when Bush stole the Whitehouse 1 million Iraqis would still be alive. Wait until the class-war reaches Westwood, you will have a lot more to deal with than honking horns. Stop your complaining and look up the word SOLIDARITY!

[MercyMe]

Remember how scared we were during the Rodney King riots? Are you people nuts, stop it.
There was a war between Iran and Iraq not so long ago too. They're crazy people in these other countries. Be a better example please.

[StopItAnimals]

Stay focused on the real problems at hand in the USA, this is not one of them.

[labeachgirl]

Why am I not surprised that the naive and shallow comment on being inconvenienced, it's not like people are dying on the streets of Iran because their election was rigged and their voices were silenced. Oh wait, they were. Those voices being silenced wanted to move in the direction of peace with the US, they are the educated and middle class exposed to the world, but that is not what the current regime wants. A peaceful Iran would shake the core of the middle east, and God forbid, it doesn't appear that fits in with people's agendas commenting here.

[Carol]

MercyMe--Are you against free speech and free association? Just because Ahmadinejad may have won (or may not have) doesn't mean that people should lose their rights to gather.

While I doubt this is the revolution that will open up Iran, I am impressed by the citizens' bravery in defying order to go home.

[Vic]

Good for the people of Iran to stand up and fight for rights, but what does protesting in Westwood going to accomplish? I guess it makes you feel good that you're helping and making a difference. But if you were interested in making a difference in Iran, why did you leave that country?

The US will NOT get involved. Bush is no longer POTUS, democracy around the world is no longer the main objective of the USA especially since the War on Terror concluded.
We have internal issues to deal with.

Also, why should Westwood residents be quiet? You first say freedom of speech but that doesn't apply to critics?

[George]

Americans are too scared to protest anything.

[In Solidarity]

How could you all complain about honking? These protests are NOT, as you say, pointless. They are keeping the world watching, they are getting people curious, putting more attention and the atrocities.

some of you say "go back to Iran and protest"....isn't this what the United States is about? We are lucky enough to be able to voice our opinions, to stand up for what we believe in. The Iranians in Iran do not have this right, so let's make some noise for them. A few days of discomfort won't kill you...but for them, even a day of silence could very well be a death sentence. Think about the bigger picture, not just your own discomfort. Be compassionate, not selfish.

[Sepehr]

I feel ashamed that people are getting killed on a daily basis in Iran, and all you can come up with are some comments on nuclear weapons, revolution, or other nonsense.
This government organized raid and brutality has to stop and it has nothing to do with anything apart from the most BASIC right of anyone in the world to live free and without fear. If you short sighted people can't support basic human rights, for whoever it is, regardless of race, country and religion, you better not call yourselves human.

[evgold]

I'm a Westwood resident--I live two blocks from the federal building--and I think that all the other Westwood residents complaining is ridiculous. Okay, so its a bit noisier than usual and it took me 5 extra minutes to get to my apartment from the 405 today....small price to pay to see what makes this country the best country in the world: unlike Iran, hundreds even thousands of people can stand up for what they believe in and not get pummeled in the process. The election results are really a shame and while protesting here--thousands of miles away--probably won't have any actual physical effect on the outcome of this whole thing, I have nothing but complete understanding for the psychological effect that it has when you band together to simply show your support for those that ARE in real danger and despair. Hat's off to those people that simply want to show their support to their family and friends in Iran....All I ask is that for all of our sakes, please don't be running onto Wilshire Blvd.

[Jo]

I hope that the current situation in Iran, makes Iranians living in Los Angeles and the United States realize and appreciate the freedoms and the unique opportunity that is available in America for ALL people.