Saskatoon Ceremony Honors Lives Lost in Iran Protests

The Iranian community in Saskatoon gathered Sunday for a remembrance ceremony, honoring those who lost their lives during recent protests against the Iranian regime. The event, held more than six months after mass demonstrations began, sought to bring attention to the lives and freedom lost in Iran.

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We feel like there is not enough coverage in the mainstream media, unfortunately. For people to recognize that when we’re talking about the Iranian government, it is IRGC. It’s the same terrorist organization that Canada has recognized; we just want to spread awareness.

Organized by the University of Saskatchewan's Iranian Students' Association, the ceremony aimed to increase Canadian recognition of the brutality faced under the Iranian government, specifically identifying it with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). "We feel like there is not enough coverage in the mainstream media, unfortunately," said Sepideh Gorji, a member of the association. "For people to recognize that when we're talking about the Iranian government, it is IRGC. It's the same terrorist organization that Canada has recognized; we just want to spread awareness."

Gorji noted that while the Iranian community in Saskatoon has been vocal, protests have occurred almost weekly since January. She stressed the importance of such gatherings for maintaining focus on their shared goal: freedom and democracy in Iran. "It reminds us that we have one goal, and that's freedom and democracy in Iran, and we should never forget that," she said. Despite facing opposition and exhaustion, community members find strength in unity.

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It reminds us that we have one goal, and that’s freedom and democracy in Iran, and we should never forget that.

The community urges Canadians to support them by acknowledging the threat posed by the IRGC to democracy. "When we see that the Canadian community recognizes that, it means a lot to us because we have been trying to say it loud and clear that this terrorist organization exists in the West and they are dangerous and we want the community to recognize that," Gorji stated. They hope for recognition of the "lion and sun revolution" they aspire to achieve.

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When we see that the Canadian community recognizes that, it means a lot to us because we have been trying to say it loud and clear that this terrorist organization exists in the West and they are dangerous and we want the community to recognize that.