On the 43rd anniversary of the 1979 anti-monarchical Iranian Revolution over 50 House lawmakers, both Democrat and Republican, attended an online conference on February 11th. U.S. lawmakers underlined that people’s spirit and aspirations that led to that revolution have not faded.
At a virtual conference organized by the Organization of Iranian American Communities, the lawmakers expressed support for a democratic Iran, and referred to House Resolution 118, which calls for democratic secular and non-nuclear republic in Iran with 250 majority co-sponsors of U.S. House of Representatives. They condemned the Iranian regime for sponsoring terrorism abroad and abusing human rights at home.
According to the OIAC since December 2017, there have been eight major nationwide uprisings against the regime along with several sporadic protests in between.
Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), sent a video message to this event, underlining, “Today, there is a democratic alternative that has a powerful social base. It has elevated the widespread social discontent toward a goal-oriented struggle to overthrow the regime in its entirety.”
She added: “But since the shah had practically destroyed all democratic movements, he paved the way for the reactionary mullah to take over. This mullah (Ayatollah Khomeini) stole the revolution’s leadership by resorting to religious deception. As a result, religious fascism replaced the shah’s dictatorship.”
Excerpts of the speeches:
Chairwoman Zoe Lofgren (D-CA): “I stand with you in strong opposition to the Iranian government’s promotion of terrorist activities and its violation of human rights,”
“It’s important for Congress to acknowledge that these rights violations are unacceptable and that the continual crackdown of peaceful protests in Iran must end. Together, we must promote peace and democracy.”
Congressman Brad Schneider (D-IL): “The Iranian regime’s extensive record of abuse spans decades,” urging the U.S. government to “always stand with those who exercise their political rights. We must continue doing everything we can to speak out against Iran’s human rights abuses and hold the regime to account.”
Congressman Scott Peters (D-CA): “Since 1979, the Iranian people have yearned for the opportunity to live in a democratic, secular, nonnuclear republic, free from oppression by kings, dictators, and religious extremists,” “Men, women, children, Kurds, Bahai, Christians, Jews, and Muslims have all suffered for decades at the hands of an oppressive regime solely focused on maintaining absolute power rather than helping the Iranian people.”
Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA): “For too long, the Iranian people have been deprived of their fundamental freedoms, for which reason they rejected dictatorship in 1979 and oppose religious tyranny today. And that’s why I became the chief sponsor of House Resolution 118, expressing support for the Iranian people’s desire for a democratic, secular, and nonnuclear-nuclear republic of Iran and condemning violations of human rights and state-sponsored terrorism by the current Iranian regime.
“The revolution may have started with talk of democracy but ultimately forced the Iranian people to live under an autocratic and corrupt regime that targets its own people and is the chief state sponsor of international terrorism from Syria to Lebanon to Gaza to Europe and South America and across the globe,”
Congressman Scott Perry (R-PA): “The revolution was about freedom for the Iranian people, and they still want that. So, all this time later, let’s renew the spirit of that revolution and if it’s time to throw off that theocracy, let’s not forget that”
Congressman Tony Cardenas (D-Calif.): “For 40 years, the Iranian regime has suppressed its people and exported its brand of fundamentalism and terrorism at every opportunity,”
Congressman Raul Ruiz (D-CA): “Standing up for the human rights of the people of Iran is necessary,” “The majority of Congress condemns Iran’s malignant behavior in the [Middle East].”
Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY): “I am honored to address you and renew our shared support for a free Iran. Thank you for all of the pro-democracy activists working tirelessly on behalf of this cause”.
“I am also taking action to prevent the United States from rejoining the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, otherwise known as the disastrous Iran nuclear deal.”
Congressman Don Bacon, (R-NE): “It is my belief that it should be the policy of the United States to investigate and hold Iranian officials accountable for the extra-judicial killings of Iranian dissidents.”
“US should investigate the disgraceful actions of President (Ebrahim) Raisi and his involvement in the 1988 massacre (of political prisoners). He must be held accountable for crimes against humanity.”
Congresswoman Lisa McClain, (R-MI) : “This month marks the 43rd anniversary of Iran’s revolution, a revolution that began with the desire for religious freedom. Unfortunately, that revolution was usurped by a radical religious regime. I’m a proud cosponsor of House Resolution 118 and a proud supporter of the freedom of the Iranian people.”
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D_TX): “It is so very important to promote the people who love democracy, and in this anniversary of the 1979 popular anti-dictatorial revolution where people stood up to be able to fight for democracy, we want to say that it is important to receive that democracy and to be able to speak against the massacre of 1988, the political prisoners, the suppression of peaceful demonstrations in 1999 and 2009, 2017 and 2019,”
Congresswoman Judi Chu (D-CA): “Having such a large bipartisan bill condemning the Iranian government’s support for terrorism sends a clear signal to the people of Iran that they are not alone, that Iranian people deserve to be free from the harsh and violent rule of Iran’s mullahs and the world deserves to feel safe from Iranian support for terror and violence. I support your work to fulfill the dream of 1979 and establish a free and democratic Iran that works with the U.S. and others to build a safer world.”
“Today the threat of violence remains and instead of facing justice, the man responsible for much of that violence, Ebrahim Raisi, has been elevated to the president where he’s able to continue to suppress democratic aspirations through force.”
Congresswoman Young Kim (R-CA): “I condemn the Iranian regime’s human rights abuses against its own people, including the massacre in 1988 and the suppression of political demonstrations,”
Congressman Joe Wilson, (R-SC): “We will not forget these dissidents who were abused or killed at the hands of the regime, and we stand with those in pursuit of a secular, democratic Iran.”
Congressman Blake Moore (R-UT): “The world community should remain vigilant as the terror of the ayatollah extends well past its borders. From Europe to South Asia, Iranian proxies across the globe spread violence, terror, and religious extremism.”
Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA): “Iranians deserve the right to choose their own future. Now more than ever, it is critical that we continue to support the democratic aspirations of the people of Iran that have been denied for so long. And in doing so, we must condemn the Iranian regime’s human rights abuses against dissidents and minorities and stand with the people of Iran who continue to hold legitimate and peaceful protests against the oppressive and corrupt regime.”
Congressman Randy Weber,( R-TX): “Giving concession to the Iranian regime will embolden them to kill their own people, to wage terror in the region, and rapidly dash to a nuclear bomb.” “I urge the Biden administration to quickly change course with Iran and pay attention to what over 250 bipartisan House members said in H.Res.118, and that is ‘we stand with the people of Iran who are continuing to hold legitimate and peaceful protests against an oppressive and corrupt regime.’ Iran deserves that.”
Congressman Russ Fulcher (R-ID): “The people of Iran must have the right to determine their own future and to ensure that their rights of expression, religious belief, political opinion, assembly, and a representative government are truly respected.” “The barbaric imprisonment and execution of the courageous pro-democracy activists must finally end.”
The conference and its attendees vowed to continue their support of the Iranian people and their calls for regime change and the establishment of the democratically elected republic in Iran. The conference also called on the Western governments, including the U.S., to adopt a firm policy vis-à-vis the ruling theocracy in Tehran, adding that this was the only way to prevent the regime from spreading chaos in the region.