im across the street right now, this protest was put together very quickly through Iranian radio and TV by all types of different people. It's so sad what is going on, i have talked to lots of different families today who have a brother, cousin, dad someone get detained by the INS in the last few weeks. They say they are being kept in horrible conditinos and being treated very unfairly and some are facing deportation.
A lot of people are out here and it looks awesome.. im amazed that this was put together without any activist groups.. in some ways that makes it even better.. but i am truly surprised that no activist organizations are even out here.. no ANSWER no NOT IN OUR NAME, no Peace coalitions, no people tabling.. it's mostly Iranian people.. it's kind of weird cuz ususally when i come to protests out here mostly those groups have organized it and lots of white people and weekend activsits come out to them.. but for such an important event like this.. none of those groups are even present.. maybe they only go to events that they organize.. and events like this are just not important enough..
who knows
either way this today has shown me that peopel can come together w/ out any leaders of big old groups telling them where to go and this and that.. they didn't even have a permit (so i've heard from a few speakers) this is truly awesome :D these people all took time out of their busy days, lots of families, lots of kids, and they made their way out here today to speak out against these horrific acts by the INS.
this war is effecting us all in some way, these are some extreme ways and it's hitting close to home, it's so awesome to see that people will not stay quiet, that somehow without any groups or coalitions.. somehow through word of mouth, messages they'll pull together and stand up against it.. there are at least a couple thousand out here today.. and im honestly amazed and as a fellow Iranian very very happy.
I have taken lots of pictures and have lots of intervies that i recorded, once i get to a better computer back home, i'll be sure to upload them and have them online.
I hope some of you reading this please join us next time that we have an event like this.. it would be real nice to see activist who go to protest for those other big groups.. actually come to a protest to support people who are directly being effected by the unfair and racist laws of this country.