“Shame on you!” cries. Protests amplified by loudspeakers outside the Russian embassy in Ottawa on Saturday afternoon brought together members of the city’s Ukrainian and Iranian communities.
About 200 people attended a communal rally on the sidewalk of Charlotte Street as a constant stream of cars passed by, several honking their horns in support.
Organizer Kaveh Shakouri, who left Iran for Canada in 2008, said the Ukrainian and Iranian communities came together to protest Iran’s supply of drones to Russia.
Ukraine accuses Russia of using drones during its ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
“We have a common oppressor,” Shakouri said.
the name of the deceased is read
Another purpose of the rally was to kill 200 people in Ukraine and Iran who said they had died in the weeks since Russia first invaded Ukraine in February and after protests erupted in Iran in September. , Shakouri added.
The protests followed the death of Masa Amini, a Kurdish woman detained by Iran’s morality police for ignoring the Islamic Republic’s strict dress code imposed on women.
People from all walks of life are taking part in the nationwide Iranian protests, with students and women playing key roles and high numbers of deaths reported.
All those whose names were read in Ottawa on Saturday were under the age of 25, Shakouri said.
“[It’s] A small sample of those killed,” said Ihor Mikhalchishin, secretary general of the Ukrainian-Canadian parliament.
Sam Pakpalver holds the Iranian flag above a banner that reads “Women, Life, Freedom.” He attended the embassy protest on behalf of his wife Ajin Rezaian, who was unable to attend due to his job.
Pakparvar said women’s rights activist Rezaiean fled Iran 18 months ago.
A local teacher, Doug Hume, brought his daughters to the meeting. The family has gathered outside the Russian embassy about every two weeks since the invasion of Ukraine began, he said.
Hume said, “There are many things set up to silence people’s voices, but it is important to determine our own values and try to contribute to making the world a better and safer place.” I need to let them know.
