Whereas Roozbeh Farahanipour was testifying final week in assist of Los Angeles County displaying solidarity with Iranian ladies and ladies protesting their nation’s brutal regime, his spouse discovered their Persian cafe in Westwood vandalized.
His spouse, the store’s pastry chef, confirmed as much as open the Persian Gulf early Oct. 18, however as an alternative discovered the glass entrance door shattered, Farahanipour stated. He stated the assault, which he believes was carried out by sympathizers or actors of the Islamic Republic, got here simply days after he shared photographs on Instagram of a brand new memorial on the cafe honoring Iranian ladies not too long ago killed throughout ongoing protests, and the show was featured on totally different nationwide information retailers.
However Farahanipour says he stays steadfast in his assist of protesters in Iran and throughout america calling for an finish to the Islamic Republic’s authoritarian decades-long maintain over his homeland, undeterred by the current vandalism.
“In comparison with what’s occurring to the individuals in Iran, that’s nothing,” Farahanipour stated. “Till this regime ends energy, nobody’s going to see the peace.”
Demonstrations in Iran have swept the nation after a younger lady died final month whereas within the custody of the nation’s morality police. The federal government has responded with a violent crackdown, killing greater than 200 individuals — many ladies and youngsters — and arresting hundreds extra, in response to human rights teams estimates.
However Farahanipour stated he has no plans to take away the cafe’s show that honors the ladies killed within the current unrest, their photographs proven on a desk alongside roses, candles and an Iranian flag. Included within the memorial is a photograph of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, whose in-custody loss of life sparked the widespread protests, after she was arrested and accused of not appropriately sporting her hijab.
“I'll go away the desk right here,” Farahanipour stated. “For me, that’s nothing new. I’ve been getting some of these issues for, nearly, my complete life.”
Farahanipour was jailed and overwhelmed in Iran for his position within the 1999 pupil protests, earlier than looking for political asylum within the U.S. Whereas he's now not main protests within the streets, the 51-year-old Farahanipour stated he continues to advocate for democracy in Iran and in opposition to the Iranian authorities — and believes spreading consciousness and speaking with prospects is a vital approach he can try this.
“Life is constant, nobody died” [in the attack on the cafe], the West L.A. Chamber of Commerce president stated. “The individuals in Iran, they died on the street for no motive. ... We will hold the motion in Iran on [people’s] minds and assist the motion.”
Farahanipour stated he reported the damaged glass door to police on-line. An LAPD spokesperson stated a detective will examine any stories made on-line, however couldn't give an replace.
Farahanipour stated he hopes they will quickly substitute the door, nevertheless it may take greater than two weeks. For now, Farahanipour is paying for the enterprise’ opening to be boarded up each night time, then reopened within the morning. However he stated that process is a small worth in comparison with what he sees occurring throughout Iran, greater than 8,000 miles away from his cafe.
“It’s actually, actually onerous watching, many occasions it’s introduced tears to my eyes,” Farahanipour stated. “To see individuals simply get shot for no motive on the streets of Tehran … I’m speechless.”
He stays hopeful that these deaths won't be in useless, and can hold supporting his individuals from afar.
“The individuals within the streets are hoping for a greater life,” Farahanipour stated. “That is the largest probability they've in 43 years to do away with the regime.”
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