 "Photo: Brandon Labadie")
Shannon Rawski stood at the intersection of Capitol Parkway and O St. surrounded by a mix of people all wearing green ribbons and clothing.
They waved their signs at passing cars: “Honk for peace in Iran” and “Give us fair elections.”
“We’re here to raise awareness about the need for democracy in Iran,” said Rawski, a grad student who is studying organizational behavior management, as she painted the Iranian flag on the face of another rally participant.
The June 24 rally, came after a candlelight vigil the night before for Iranian Freedom Fighters who have already died in the protests in Iran.
“What we’ve seen in Iran recently is unique,” said Saeed Zamiri, an industrial engineering graduate student. “There is such brutality from the government. I am Iranian, and I am here to support my people. Even though my family is not attending the protests, the people attending are like my brothers and sisters, and so far, more than a hundred of them have died.
“We do not want to change the government; we do not want a revolution and bloodshed. We just want to have another election, a fair election. Just give us back our votes.”
Recent elections in Iran appear to have been rigged, with current President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad getting overwhelming support even in his opponents’ hometowns and strongholds. Also, results were reported to have been tabulated much quicker than believed possible. Since then, Iranian protestors, peaceful and otherwise, have been killed by police and military forces in order to subdue the dissent.
Nver Hasratyan, president of the International Students Organization, feels strongly that reform needs to take place.
“I believe that the presidential election in Iran was fraudulent and needs to be rejected, never acknowledged by other nations, specifically by the U.S.,” he said.
“I believe that Iranian people’s human rights and freedom of speech and choice have been severely violated and must be protected and supported by the rest of the world. I believe that a democratic reform should take place in Iran for the best interest and benefit of its citizens (not the authorities). I want to see the rule of authoritarianism and tyranny be replaced by democracy forever. “
Hasratyan is from Armenia, so his involvement in international affairs is almost expected. But Kayann Willis, a Jamaican organizational behavior graduate student, said what is happening in Iran should matter to Americans as well.
“It’s like Martin Luther King Jr. said: ‘Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,’” she said.
Robert Weir, one of the organizers of the rally, felt that Nebraskans could really make a difference, even half a world away.
“I think people here feel isolated, and we need raise awareness and show them that they can take part in a worldwide fight. I feel freedom of a people is not just national but global. …
“They are still my brothers and sisters, even if I’m not Iranian-American. Nebraskans need to put themselves in their position. If I was in Iran, the last place I would expect support from would be Lincoln, Nebraska, but here we are, supporting those who are struggling. I hope we give them motivation to keep struggling, and if they hear about us through news stories or our YouTube videos, that’d be great.”
Hasratyan also helped set up the rallies for similar reasons.
“I have organized the rally in support of Iranian democracy because I believe that by doing so we can encourage and support Iranians who are currently fighting for their freedom. The situation in Iran is very critical, and we all need to be concerned about it as it involves universal human rights issues,” he said.
Organizers of the rally and candlelight vigil also planned a rally in Omaha on June 29 to help raise awareness there.
“It is easy to sit in a free land like the U.S. and enjoy the benefits of the freedom which was brought to us by so many courageous soldiers who fought the battle and sacrificed their lives and families,” Hasratyan said. “We shouldn’t take our liberty for granted and now be ignorant towards the victims of the world’s most violent leaders.”
heidigarvin@dailynebraskan.com
United States
Of America
I am the flag of the United States of America.
My name is Old Glory.
I fly atop the world's tallest buildings.
I stand watch in America's halls of justice.
I fly majestically over institutions of learning.
I stand guard with power in the world.
Look up and see me.
I stand for peace, honor, truth and justice.
I stand for freedom.
I am confident.
I am arrogant.
I am proud.
When I am flown with my fellow banners,
My head is a little higher,
My colors a little truer.
I bow to no one!
I am recognized all over the world.
I am worshipped - I am saluted.
I am loved - I am revered.
I am respected - and I am feared.
I have fought in every battle of every war for more then 200 years. I was flown at Valley Forge, Gettysburg, Shiloh and Appomattox.
I was there at San Juan Hill, the trenches of France,
in the Argonne Forest, Anzio, Rome and the beaches of Normandy.
Guam, Okinawa, Korea and KheSan, Saigon, Vietnam know me.
I'm presently in the mountains of Afganistan and the hot and dusty deserts of Iraq and wherever freedom is needed.
I led my troops, I was dirty, battleworn and tired,
But my soldiers cheered me and I was proud.
I have been burned, torn and trampled on the streets of countries I have helped set free.
It does not hurt for I am invincible.
I have been soiled upon, burned, torn and trampled in the streets of my country.
And when it's done by those Whom I've served in battle - it hurts.
But I shall overcome - for I am strong.
I have slipped the bonds of Earth and stood watch over the uncharted frontiers of space from my vantage point on the moon.
I have borne silent witness to all of America's finest hours.
But my finest hours are yet to come.
When I am torn into strips and used as bandages for my wounded comrades on the battlefield,
When I am flown at half-mast to honor my soldier,
Or when I lie in the trembling arms of a grieving parent
at the grave of their fallen son or daughter,
I am proud.