NY Congressional Representatives and Community Leaders Mark Second Anniversary of "Stolen Election" in Iran

NEW YORK, June 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- New York political and community leaders gathered at City Hall on Friday to present the Iran180 Hero Awards to dissidents and activists who are demanding real and immediate change from the Iranian regime. The event marked the second anniversary of the stolen 2009 Iranian presidential election when Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was named to a second term. Iran180, a coalition of people and organizations who have come together to demand that the Iranian government change course by halting its brutal treatment of its citizens and stopping the development of nuclear weapons, initiated the event.

The Iran180 Hero awards honor and show support for those working courageously to demand basic human rights in Iran and to stand up against the repressive policies and practices of this regime. Iran180 reviewed many candidates for the awards; the final honorees were selected not only for their courageous work in standing up for the people of Iran and in loudly condemning the atrocities perpetrated by the Iranian government, but also utilizing their resources and talents to help shift world public opinion on the need for the Iranian government to "do a 180 degree" turn and start respecting basic human rights.

The honorees were:

• Ahmad Batebi, who became an icon of Iran's student reform movement when he appeared on the cover of The Economist and was sentenced to death. After eight years of incarceration and torture, Batebi escaped from prison, and ever since, he has continued his struggle for human rights and democracy in the United States.

• Shabnam Assadollahi, a veteran human rights advocate who spent 18 months as a political prisoner in Evin prison when she was 16. Assadollahi is also the program producer and host of Chin Radio Ottawa's Persian Program "Hamseda," where she regularly interviews Iranian students and activists who call into her radio program from Iran to have their voices and beliefs heard.

• Homayoun Mobasseri, a former member of the Iranian Working Group for the Establishment of the International Criminal Court, Mobasseri is also the former co-host of the radio show, "Viewpoints," and he now serves on the board of the human rights advocacy group "Neda for a Free Iran."  

• The Honorable David Kilgour, a former Member of Parliament in the Canadian House of Commons, a Fellow of the Queen's University Centre for the Study of Democracy, and a Director of the Council for a Community of Democracies. As a co-chair of the Canadian Friends of a Democratic Iran, Kilgour has brought the issue of human rights in Iran to the forefront of the political agenda in Canada and abroad.

• The Transparent Movement of Iran, and the Anti-Suppression Student Movement in Iran, two student movement groups based in Iran working towards the establishment of transparent democratic system and the elimination of human rights abuses in Iran.

A full range of Federal, State and City officials appeared and spoke at the press conference including; Reps. Charles Rangel, Carolyn Maloney, Edolphus Towns; NYS Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver; and NYC Public Advocate Bill de Blasio. In addition, community leaders including Reverend Jacques DeGraff and Imam Shamsi Ali addressed the winners. Michael Miller, Executive Vice President of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York — a proud member of the Iran180 coalition—presided over the ceremony.

"It's a privilege to join Iran180 in honoring these dissidents who stood up for freedom and democracy.  Many of them have paid a heavy price for daring to challenge the current tyrannical regime," said Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney. "I salute the members of Iran180 for continuing to shine a light on the terrible conditions in which Iranians live and for demanding change."

The event occurred at a crucial moment, as just two days earlier, the Iranian regime declared that it would triple production of nuclear fuel and the Revolutionary Guard praised the idea of testing a nuclear weapon. These actions caused some to believe that Iran is escalating its efforts to enrich nuclear materials to bomb-grade levels in spite of UN sanctions.

"I am proud to stand with the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York to recognize Iranian human rights activists doing dangerous and heroic work to get the Iranian government to reverse their pursuit of nuclear weapons and improve the treatment of their citizens," said Rep. Edolphus Towns. "Peace-loving people everywhere should be concerned about the development of nuclear weapons in Iran and elsewhere that can be used against our allies. I salute these honorees for their courage and commitment to human rights."

"The same rights that we New Yorkers enjoy are denied to the people of Iran every single day. The leaders being honored today have risked their lives for the sake of a free Iran," said NYC Public Advocate Bill de Blasio. "As citizens of a free city and a free country, we stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Iran in their fight to throw off oppression and forge a peaceful path for their nation."

All award winners — aside from those living in Iran currently — attended the ceremony.

"We are reminded today that steps to rid our world of corrupt leaders and prejudice can be taken," said City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn. "The activism and beliefs of these individuals in their fight for Human Rights in Iran have done just that. These people truly are heroes, as they have found a voice that represents those of many and have worked to reverse the destructive actions of their government. These voices have refused to be silenced, even when the road for their people's rights would be full of danger, oppression and uncertainty, which is extraordinary and inspiring. The Council is proud to be a part of an event that supports the work of these heroes, and that of Iran180."

According Iran180 Hero Award winner and Canadian Member of Parliament David Kilgour, "We Americans, Canadians and the entire world have a responsibility to stand in robust solidarity with the struggle for dignity for all in Iran."

Iran180 is a movement of people and organizations who have come together as a unified voice to demand a 180 by the Iranian government on their pursuit of nuclear weapons and the treatment of their citizens. The coalition's events have drawn the support of key elected officials, including Senator Gillibrand and former Governor Paterson, and its street theatre has been featured on the front page of The New York Times and The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Iran180's list of participating organizations includes 100 Hispanic Women, American Jewish Committee, Anti-Defamation League – NY Region, Chinese Community Relations Council, COMPAS, Iran Press News, Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, Korean American Community Empowerment Council, NAACP New York, New York Coalition of 100 Black Women, Planet Iran, Progressive American-Iranian Committee, Turkish American Community of New York, UJA – Federation of New York. A full list of Iran180 coalition member organizations is available at http://www.iran180.org/what-is-iran180/

Contact: Hallema Sharif, 718.685.4001 (Cell), [email protected]; and Alexandra Parkinson, 212-362-1307 (Office), [email protected]

SOURCE Iran180