Iranian-American community rallies in Irvine to commemorate victims of crackdown on anti-government protests

IRVINE, Calif. (KABC) — Demonstrators in Orange County on Tuesday marked a somber 40-day anniversary of the killing of thousands of Iranians during a crackdown on anti-government protests last month.

Several of those protesters gathered in Irvine to continue to raise awareness about the ongoing unrest in Iran and to push for change.

“This is the fortieth day of commemoration of the passing of all those victims and we just have to be their voice,” said organizer Mona Memarian.

Memarian said she and others gather outside of the Irvine Civic Center on the third Tuesday of the month. They are vocalizing their opposition to the Islamic Republic’s regime in Iran and the government’s Supreme Leader.

“The oppression in Iran has been so much, so tense, that the young people cannot take it anymore,” Memarian said. “It’s really heartbreaking to see families lose their kids and you just can’t do anything. It’s out of your control. But we don’t want to lose hope.”

Sara Cornell drove two hours to spend her 32nd birthday at the protest. She lived in Iran until she was 18 years old.

“I feel like a lot of people have a really hard time understanding that we love our country. We hate our government. We want our country to be free. We want to e able to have our own land, our own home, our own culture, our language. Why can’t we?” Cornell said.

Alireza Sedighi joined the group too. He spent 7.5 years in an Iranian prison. He said he was arrested in 1981 for distributing newspapers.

“I witnessed two of my brothers were executed” Sedighi said.

Decades later, Iranians continue to fight for freedom.

“The people of Iran are struggling for 46 years to get freedom, a democracy, a normal life like United States,” Sedighi said.

Sedighi fled Iran and has lived in Orange County for 20 years. He said seeing the amount of people that are now active in Iranian politics gives him hope.

“I am very hopeful soon we will see a change and our government collapse and overthrow by the people of Iran,” Sedighi said.

Organizers say they will continue to gather on the third Tuesday of every month in Irvine until they see real change.