Jun 20, 2009 7:20 pm US/Central
Minn. Protesters Stand Up For Rights Of Iranians
(WCCO)
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By exercising their right to speak out, the demonstrators hope to keep the pressure on and let protesters in Iran know they're not alone.
CBS
Twin Cities demonstrators may be far from the conflict in Iran, but they feel close to what's happened to the Iranian people.
"I feel I'm being cheated," said Reza Ahmadi, a student at the University of Minnesota and Iranian citizen.
Ahmadi voted for reformist Mir Hossein Mousavi in the election, though he was skeptical things would change.
"I have been encouraged by the people around me and also friends to go and vote; this time is going to change something. I know a huge amount of people went and voted for Mousavi but didn't get what they expected," he said.
About 50 people rallied in Uptown Minneapolis Saturday to show support for protesters in Iran. They held signs reading "Where is my vote?" and chanted slogans like "Hey, hey, ho, ho Ahmadinejad has got to go."
Most of them wore green in support of Mousavi, but not everyone at the rally is for the opposition leader. But they all question the election results in Iran.
"It's not right, it's not right, so I don't know, probably a re-election is the best. If people can just, -- people will be happy if their real vote counts, that's it," said an Iranian-American named Tara.
Most attending the rally have ties to Iran. Sara Nasiri-Amni is worried about family members getting caught up in the violence.
"I'm really concerned, especially knowing that people got killed last week, so there might be more violence and a crackdown," said Nasiri-Amni.
Even those without a connection to Iran feel strongly about standing with the protesters in Iran. Hannah Heidt helped organize Saturday's rally.
"For me it was a, 'look at the things that you take for granted in life.' Voting in a free and fair election is one of them, along with texting, television," smiled Heidt.
By exercising their right to speak out, the demonstrators hope to keep the pressure on and let protesters in Iran know they're not alone.
There is another rally in support of Iran's protesters scheduled next Wednesday. That will take place at the Hennepin County Government Center.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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