Richmond Hill Rally Celebrates U.S. and Israel Actions

Iranian Canadians gathered at a rally in Richmond Hill, Ont., on Saturday, expressing their excitement over the intervention by the U. S. and Israel in Iran.

Sephr Biglar Khani, who attended the demonstration, remarked that this moment offers a glimmer of hope amidst the struggles back home.

“The energy you see out here is because we’re happy. We’ve been wanting this to happen,” he said Saturday. “This is not an attack on the people. This is not an attack on the country. This is a rescue mission for the people.”

According to a statement from CBC Toronto, York Regional Police estimated around 40,000 to 45,000 individuals were present at the Richmond Hill rally.

In a social media update, York police cautioned about traffic delays and potential disruptions. All lanes have since reopened and no incidents were reported by York police.

The U. S. and Israel launched significant attacks on Iran on Saturday, with President Donald Trump urging Iranians to “seize control of your destiny” by opposing their Islamic leadership that has been in power since 1979. In response, Iran retaliated by launching missiles and drones toward Israeli and U. S. military bases in the area.

So far, Iranian state media reports indicate that over 200 people have died across Iran due to U. S.-Israel strikes, citing figures from the Iranian Red Crescent Society.

In a statement to CBC Toronto, York Regional Police said it estimated there were approximately 40,000 to 45,000 people at the Richmond Hill rally. (Brice Petitfils/CBC)

Iran has seen nationwide protests erupt since late December due to an ongoing economic crisis that has caused its currency value to plummet. Initially focused on economic issues, protesters soon shifted their demands toward calling for an end to Iran’s Islamic Republic; some even support reinstating the monarchy.

The Iranian government has responded with severe crackdowns on protests and imposed an internet blackout while claiming that over 3,000 individuals have died since protests began.

The Human Rights Activists News Agency based in the U. S., which has accurately tracked death tolls during prior unrest in Iran, estimates more than 7,000 deaths occurred.

Biglar Khani sees this as “a step in the right direction.”

“Some people might come out and say this is a war. We shouldn’t have this. But a war was already being fought,” he stated.

Salman Sima, who was imprisoned for political reasons in 2009 before relocating to Toronto as a refugee in 2011, believes Reza Pahlavi-the exiled crown prince-is viewed as a “unifying figure” by those seeking a “peaceful transition.”

The U. S. and Israel launched a major attack on Iran on Saturday, and President Donald Trump called on the Iranian public to “seize control of your destiny” by rising up against the Islamic leadership that has ruled the nation since 1979. (Brice Petitfils/CBC)

This contrasts sharply with what Kati Asgari says are intentions of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.



“They have shown multiple times that they are not after any kind of peace in the region and they have been chanting death to America, death to Israel from the very beginning,” she shared.




</cns-pvactplsnlklsh_{Parsa Sany told he believes that U. S.-Israeli actions represent “a freedom mission.”} “This is by far one of the happiest days ever,” he exclaimed.

(“We have a democratic future ahead of us.” And we are very excited for this.”)

Zarabi also mentioned that she feels like there’s been an emotional rollercoaster for Iranians until today.

“There’s a sense of victory today and there’s so much joy,” she noted Friday afternoon.

(“Freedom feels so near.”)

Zarabi expressed her admiration for how resilient Iranians have been through all these challenges.

(“We will be showing our support until we can communicate openly back home because it’s such beautiful country-the culture-and everything about it,” she added.)>((Naama Weingarten/CBC))

---

(Prime Minister Mark Carney stated Canada supports one aspect: dismantling Iran’s nuclear program.)<(Canada backs US efforts aimed at preventing Tehran from acquiring weapons capable nuclear arms threats pose international peace security aspects))<<Carney reiterated stance: "The Islamic Republic remains principal source instability terror Middle East while having among world’s worst human rights records must never allowed develop nuclear weaponry.")(Afterward speech concluded Carney confirmed Canada isn’t participating militarily asserting federal government isn’t involved military buildup planning.””(In another update posted socially Air Canada announced cancellation flights connecting Israel until March8 Dubai till3rd March following heightened military conflict situation surrounding Middle Eastern regions)”!”^(Monitoring current events adjust schedules accordingly.)<

Source link