Demonstrators brave frigid Ottawa temperatures to support people of Iran

Demonstrators gathered on Parliament Hill to show support to the people of Iran. As CTV’s Josh Marano reports, they’re urging Canada to take stronger action.

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered on Parliament Hill Sunday afternoon, braving -20 C temperatures to show solidarity with the people of Iran and to call for strong action from the Canadian government.

The rally comes as nearly a month of protests against Iran’s ruling regime continue, with human rights organizations reporting ongoing arrests, executions, and violent crackdowns on dissent.

Organizers say the goal of the demonstration was to keep international attention focused on Iran and to urge Canada to increase pressure on Tehran through tougher sanctions and support for international investigations into alleged human rights abuses.

Waving flags and holding signs calling for freedom, demonstrators say they feel a responsibility to speak out for those who cannot.

“To increase the awareness of what’s going on in Iran and being the voice of people in Iran,” says demonstrator Saeed Aria. “And what has gone on to them.”

Human rights groups continue to report the arrest and execution of activists and protestors inside Iran. Demonstrators say many victims were simply asking for basic freedoms.

“They’re asking for simple human rights and unfortunately the government decided to kill them with guns, with weapons, and they did not have anything,” says Shahrzad Shams.

Families in Canada say ongoing internet blackouts in Iran have made it increasingly difficult to communicate with loved ones back home.

“Now it is just on and off internet,” says one demonstrator. “You can communicate for a very short time, but no voice messages.”

While the exact death toll remains difficult to verify, protestors and human rights organizations estimate the number of those killed and injured could be in the tens of thousands.

“The Ayatollah has already murdered over 43,000, blinded over 10,000, injured over 320-300-thousand people,” says Ben Aryana. “That’s roughly 30 per cent of Ottawa’s population.”

Protestors are calling on the federal government to impose stronger sanctions and to support international efforts aimed at holding Iranian officials accountable.

“Canada is number one for human rights,” says Shams. “This is a time they really need to support Iran.”

The rally also comes amid rising tensions in the region after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that warships were being sent toward the area, prompting Iran’s Revolutionary Guard to warn that any attack would be treated as an act of all-out war.

Demonstrators later marched through downtown Ottawa toward City Hall, continuing their calls for action.

“We are gathering to support people in Iran for a regime change,” says another participant. “We want the world to know that people are fighting against dictatorship in Iran.”

Organizers say demonstrations will continue across the country until meaningful change is made, as they urge Canada to push for accountability and improved human rights conditions in Iran.

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